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THE  BELLE  OF  AUSTRALIA, 


OR    WHO    AM    I? 


BY  WILLIAM   H.    THOMES, 

Author  of '"  The  Gold-Hunters  of  Australia,"  "  The  Bushrangers,"  "  The 

Gold -Hunters   in   Europe"    "Life  in   the  East  Jndies" 

'•'A    Shiver's   Adventures"   "Running  the 

Blockade,"-  "A   Whaleman s 

Adventures"  frc. 


[CORRECTED   AND    REVISED    FROM    BALLOU'S    MONTHLY    MAGAZINE.] 


ILLUSTRATED  BY  F.  CHILDE  H ASS  AM. 


BOSTON: 

DEWOLFE,  FISKE  &  COMPANY, 

365  WASHINGTON  STREET. 
1883. 


COPYRIGHT,  1883,  BY  WILLIAM  H.  THOMES. 
ALL  RIGHTS  RESERVED. 


TO 

ALONZO  B.   BRAY,   OF  NEW-YORK  CITY, 

FOR   WHOSE 

GENEROUS    HOSPITALITY 

AND   KIND   WORDS   OF   ENCOURAGEMENT 

FOR   THE   PAST   TWENTY    YEARS 

I   AM   SO   MUCH    INDEBTED, 

THIS    BOOK 

fS  RESPECTFULLY  DEDICATED 

BY   HIS   FRIEND, 

WILLIAM  H.  THOMES. 


Contents. 


CONTENTS. 


PART    I. 

PASSAGE  AND  ARRIVAL  AT  MELBOURNE  IN  SEARCH  OF  FAME  AND 
FORTUNE,  AND  WHAT  WONDERFUL  ADVENTURES  HAPPENED  TO  ME 
THE  FIRST  DAY  OF  MY  ARRIVAL  IN  THE  CITY.  —  A  CRAZY  FRENCHMAN 
AND  HIS  PACKAGE.  —  MY  DOUBLE. 

PART     II. 

THE  MEETING  IN  FRONT  OF  THE  CLUB-HOUSE.  —  WHO  AM  I  ?  AND  WHAT 
HAVE  I  DONE  ?  —  A  FRIEND  OF  THE  FAMILY.  —  AN  OLD  ACQUAINT- 
ANCE ON  THE  POLICE.  —  MISS  KITTY  AND  THE  DIAMOND  RING.  —  NO 
EXPLANATIONS  RECEIVED  OR  WANTED. 

PART     III. 

MISS  KITTY  AND  THE  DIAMOND  RING  AGAIN  APPEAR.  —  A  PROMISE  TO 
BE  SILENT.  —  MR.  KEBBLEWHITE  AND  HIS  HOME.  —  HOW  MR.  MURDEN 
SURROUNDED  ME  WITH  PITFALLS.  —  USELESS  DENIALS. — THE  FIRST 
VISION  OF  MY  FUTURE  WIFE ;  AND  A  PLEASANT  ONE  IT  IS. 

PART    IV. 

AN  EMBARRASSING  POSITION  FOR  A  YOUNG  MAN.  —  MR.  KEBBLEWHITE 
AGAIN  GETS  ANGRY,  AND  ONCE  MORE  CALLS  FOR  HIS  PISTOLS  AND 
NULLA.  —  NO  TIME  FOR  EXPLANATIONS.  —  A  SAD  WEDDIXG,  AND  A 
COLLATION  AND  DRINKING.  — I  LIKE  MY  NEW  MOTHER-IN-LAW,  AND 
SHE  RATHER  LIKES  ME.  —  MR.  KEBBLEWHITE  GIVES  US  A  SPECIMEN 
OF  HIS  VOCAL  POWERS. 

PART    V. 

A  SHORT  PRIVATE  INTERVIEW  WITH  MY  WIFE.  —  I  MAKE  SOME  EXPLA- 
NATIONS, WHICH  ARE  NOT  WELL  RECEIVED.  —  A  PLEA  FOR  PARDON, 
AND  A  REFUSAL.  —  LEAVING  THE  HOUSE  BY  THE  AID  OF  A  TREE.  — 
MR.  MURDEN  AND  HIS  PLAIN  TALK.  —  A  LONG  FAREWELL. 

PART   VI. 

A  JOURNEY,  AND  A  MOUNTED  POLICEMAN'S  HALT.  —  THE  NOISES  OF 
THE  FOREST. —  A  CUP  OF  TEA  AND  THE  KANGAROO. —'THE  QUAKER 
AND  HIS  QUESTIONS.  —  OLD  WEBBER  AND  HIS  BLOOMING  DAUGHTER. 
—  AN  INDUCEMENT.  —  MIKE  GIVES  ME  A  SOLEMN  WARNING. 


Contents. 


PART  VII. 

ON  THE  ROAD  TO  BALLARAT.  —  A  SHORT  NAP,  AND  A  LIVELY  BLACK- 
SNAKE.  —  LOST  IN  THE  BUSH.  —  AN  AUSTRALIAN  CRY  FOR  HELP.  - 
THE  TORTURED  CHINAMAN.  —  A  RESCUE.  —  AN  ENCAMPMENT  FOR  THE 
NIGHT.  —  A  FLYING  CHINAMAN.  —  THE  BLACK  FELLOWS  AND  THEIR 
FEAST.  — A  TERRIBLE  VISITOR.  —  ON  THE  TRAMP. 

PART   VIII. 

BALLARAT    AND    ITS    MINES.  —  HOW    THREE    OLD    PIRATES    SOLD    A    CLAIM 

AND  MYSELF  AT  THE  SAME  TIME.  —  HOUSE-CLEANING  MADE  EASY.  — 
A  NEWSPAPER'S  ACCOUNT  OF  MY  WEDDING.  —  MISS  KITTY  STUCKLY 

MAKES  ME  AN  UNEXPECTED  CALL,  AND  WANTS  TO  TALK  OF  LOVE, 
BUT  I  DECLINE  TO  LISTEN.  —  THE  ARRIVAL  OF  MR.  MURDEN  AT  MY 
SHANTY  IN  THE  NIGHT,  AND  WHAT  HE  SAID. 

PART    IX. 

MR.  MURDEN  EXPRESSES  HIS  OPINION  QUITE  FREELY.  —  KITTY'S  DISAP- 
PEARANCE. —  THE  NUGGETS  OF  GOLD,  AND  HOW  MUCH  THEY  WERE 
WORTH.  —  A  SALE  OF  THE  MINE.  —  MY  WIFE  AND  HER  FATHER,  AND 
HOW  THEY  WENT  AWAY.  — A  SCHEME  TO  CAPTURE  FLORENCE  AND 
HER  FATHER  BY  BUSHRANGERS.  —  MIKE  WANTS  TO  FIGHT  SOME  ONE. 

PART   X. 

A  DISAGREEABLE  NIGHT  RIDE.  —  FINDING  THE  TRAIL.  —  THE  BLACK 
TRACKER  THROUGH  THE  BUSH.  —  THE  BUSHRANGERS'  CAMP. — THE 
SUDDEN  ATTACK.  —  A  HAND-TO-HAND  BATTLE.— THE  CHINAMEN'S 
BLOOD  DELIRIUM.  —  A  VICTORY.  — THE  HIDDEN  TREASURE.  —  FLORENCE 
RECOGNIZES  HER  HUSBAND,  AND  IS  VERY  FAR  FROM  BEING  SATISFIED. 

PART     XI. 

AFTER  THE  FIGHT.  —  ARRIVAL  OF  THE  POLICEMEN,  AND  MR.  MURDEN 
PUTS  IN  AN  APPEARANCE,  AND  EXPRESSES  HIS  VIEWS.  —  MY  OLD 
SHIPMATE.  —  SOME  THINGS  ARE  EXPLAINED,  AND  OTHERS  A  MYSTERY. 

—  THE    HIDDEN   TREASURE.  —  A    BOLD    PROPOSITION.  —  A    WOOL    SPECU- 
LATION.—  FLORENCE    IS    OBDURATE.  —  SMITH'S    HOME,   AND   ANOTHER 
FEMALE  CRANK.  —  A   BOLD   CLAIM   FOR   A    HUSBAND. 

PART     XII. 

THE   BURIED   TREASURE. — A   BOX   OF   GOLD. — THE   RETURN   TO   BALLARAT. 

—  SELLING   OFF.  —  FAREWELL    TO    THE    MINES  — A     BIG    SPECULATION 
IN    WOOL.  — A    HASTY    SUMMONS.  —  FACE   TO   FACE   WITH    A    LORD    AND 
A    DOUBLE.—  MY   MOTHER'S   ARRIVAL,  AND   HER   STORY.  —  TWIN    BROTH- 
IKS.  —  FLORENCE    MAKES    HER    CHOICE,   AND    IS    HAPPY.  —  GRAND    EX- 
PLANATIONS.—  MR.     KEBBLEWHITE     OPENS     SOME     WINE.  —  MIKE'S     CA- 
REER. —  A    GENERAL   QLOSING    UP.— THE   END. 


MY    HKST    AFPEAKANCE    IN    MELBOURNE. 


PART  I 

PASSAGE     AND     ARRIVAL     AT      MELBOURNE     IN     SEARCH    OF    FAME     AND 

FORTUNE,  AND   WHAT    WONDERFUL    ADVENTURES    HAPPENED 

TO    ME    THE    FIRST    DAY     OF     MY     LANDING     IN 

THE  CITY.  —  A    CRAZY    FRENCHMAN 

AND     HIS     PACKAGE.  — 

MY    DOUBLE. 

IN  the  year  186-,  a  long  time  after  the  great  gold  discoveries  in  Austra- 
lia, I  needed  money,  and  was  anxious  to  work  for  it,  so  determined  to 
take  passage  in  the  ship  Iowa,  Captain  Crescent,  from  San  Francisco, 
where  I  had  not  met  with  much  success  in  mining,  bookkeeping,  or  trading. 
For  one  hundred  dollars  Captain  Crescent  agreed  to  land  me  on  the  shores 
of  Hobson's  Bay,  Victoria,  provided  I  should  do  some  writing  for 
him  on  the  passage,  settle  his  accounts,  listen  to  his  yarns,  and  energetic 


The   Belle  of  Australia. 


oaths,  regarding  his  treatment  by  commission  houses  and  boarding-house 
keepers,  sailors,  and  runners  of  the  Golden  City.  I  kept  my  promises,  and 
the  master  of  the  ship  was  faithful  to  his  word ;  but  I  fear  that  1  heard  more 
first-class  profanity  en  that  sixty-days'  passage  than  was  good  for  a  young 
man  of  nineteen,  who  had  been  tenderly  reared  by  a  loving  mother,  and  who 
had  been  in  the  habit  of  associating  with  men  who  did  not  swear,  except  un- 
der great  provocation.  Who  I  was,  and  why  I  was  seeking  my  fortune  on 
the  shores  of  the  Pacific,  will  be  revealed  in  the  course  of  this  true  and  mi- 
nute history  of  my  early  life.  Of  pur  passage  from  San  Francisco  I  will  say 
but  little,  for  a  more  disagreeable  voyage  I  never  experienced,  as  our  men 
were  ignorant  and  brutal,  hardly  one  of  them  knowing  the  duties  of  a  sailor, 
many  of  them  shanghas'd  from  the  shore  during  a  drunken  stupor,  while  the 
officers  were  impatient,  cross,  and  tyrannical,  and  gave  their  orders  with 
blows,  and  the  latter  usually  preceded  the  former.  The  ship  was  a  floating 
hell,  yet  as  a  passenger  I  suffered  but  little  discomfort,  and  was  on  friendly 
terms  with  master,  mates,  and  crew,  and  never  failed  to  lend  a  helping  hand 
in  dressing  a  sailor's  wounds,  when  a  scalp  was  laid  open  with  a  belaying 
pin,  fid,  capstan  bar,  or  marlinspike.  I  was  looked  upon  as  the  surgeon  of 
the  vessel,  and  had  free  access  to  the  medicine  chest,  and  thus  was  ena- 
bled to  soothe  many  a  poor  fellow's  pain,  which  might  have  gone  unrelieved 
for  all  the  officers  cared. 

"  Angus,"  said  Captain  Crescent  one  morning  at  breakfast,  the  fifty-ninth 
day  of  our  departure  from  the  Golden  Gate,  "  if  the  wind  holds  I  shall  land 
you  on  Australian  soil  tomorrow  forenoon.  We  are  making  ten  knots  an 
hour,  and  Hobson's  Bay  is  just  two  hundred  miles  distant." 

"  I  hope  we  shall  see  a  good  deal  of  each  other  while  you  are  in  port,"  I 
replied. 

"  I  hope  not,"  was  the  gruff  response  ;  and  then,  looking  up  at  the  tell- 
tale compass  over  his  head,  growled  out  to  the  steward,  "  Go  on  deck,  and 
tell  that  swab  at  the  wheel  that  if  he  does  not  keep  the  ship  on  her  course  I 

will  come  up,  and  belt  him  over  the  head  with  a  rope's  end.  him ! 

where  is  he  going  to  ?  " 

The  steward  delivered  the  order,  and  returned  to  the  cabin  to  wait  up- 
on the  table. 

"No,  Angus,"  the  master  said,  after  the  telltale  had  showed  that  the  ves- 
sel was  once  more  on  her  course,  "  I  hope  we  shall  part  in  Hobson's  Bay, 
and  that  when  we  again  run  afoul  of  each  other  it  will  be  in  China,  or  the 
States.  Blast  the  countries  where  »old  is  dug  out  of  the  earth  by  the  shov- 
elful. It  spoils  sailors,  and  makes  a  captain  an  old  man  afore  his  time.'1 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


" 1  thought  you  intended  to  take  in  a  cargo  of  wool  for  the  London  mar- 
ket," I  remarked. 

"  There  's  just  where  you  fools  yourself,  and  so  does  all  the  men  on  board. 
Lord !  how  the  scamps  would  cut  and  run  if  the  anchor  was  down  over 
night.  I  "ve  kept  this  thing  kinder  quiet  like,  to  keep  the  boys  in  good  hu- 
mor, but  now  I  don't  mind  tellin1  yer  that  if  there  is  no  cargo  for  me  all 
ready,  then  up  goes  the  helm,  and  I  'm  off  to  China,  for  tea/' 

"  How  are  you  to  know  ?  "   1  asked. 

And  I  saw  that  the  chief  mate  began  to  look  a  little  glum,  as  though  dis- 
appointed. 

"  My  ship's  number  will  be  displayed  at  the  fore,  and  the  signal  station 
will  repeat  it,  and  then  a  tug  will  come  off,  and  bring  instructions  from  the 
firm  I  am  consigned  to.  If  wool  is  cheap  and  plenty,  then  down  goes  my 
mud-hook.  If  not,  I  'm  off  to  China  for  the  same  firm." 

"  And  how  am  1  to  get  ashore  ?  "  I  demanded. 

"  In  the  tug,  with  all  yer  dunnage,  unless  yer  want  to  go  to  China  with  me. 
I  aVt  mean,  and  won't  charge  yer  a  dollar  for  yer  passage." 

The  mate  hastily  left  the  table,  with  a  troubled  face.  The  master  chuck 
led. 

" him !  "  he  said,  "  I  believe  he  'd  desart  with  the  rest  of  'm  jist  as 

quick  as  wink.  O  Lordy !  won't  it  be  fun  to  see  the  faces  of  the  loblolly 
cusses,  if  I  have  to  square  away,  and  make  for  China,  through  Torres' 
Straits." 

The  idea  so  pleased  the  captain,  that  he  laughed  until  he  was  purple  in 
the  face,  and  small  streams  of  coffee  spurted  all  over  the  table,  until  I  felt 
that  I  was  undergoing  a  warm  shower  bath. 

"  Get  all  yer  dunnage  ready,  Angus,"  said  the  captain,  as  soon  as  he  re- 
covered breath,  "and  be  ready  for  a  sudden  surge,  for  time  will  be  money 
tomorrow,  if  this  wind  holds.  Damn  that  feller  at  the  wheel,  he  's  off  his 
course  agin.  I  '11  belt  his  blasted  head  off !  " 

He  bolted  from  the  cabin,  and  in  a  few  seconds  I  heard  cries  of  pain,  and 
felt  the  ship  jar,  and  then  heard  the  sharp  crack  of  a  spar,  and,  when  I  went 
on  deck,  saw  that  the  "  belting  "  of  the  man  at  the  wheel  had  resulted  in  a 
sudden  luff,  and  the  carrying  away  of  the  foretopmast  studding-sail 
boom. 

" yer !  "  roared  the  now  thoroughly  angered  master,  "  I  '11  make  yer 

pay  for  that  spar.  I  '11  take  it  out  of  yer  wages,  as  sure  as  you  're  a  sogger. 
Send  another  man  to  the  wheel,  and  let  this  jemmy  ducks  help  get  up  an- 
other boom." 


8  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

The  sailor's  face  was  bleeding  as  he  walked  forward,  and  there  was  mur- 
der in  his  eyes  as  he  passed  to  the  leeward  of  the  mainmast. 

"  Keep  quiet,  Jack,"  I  said,  as  he  passed  me.  "  I  will  come  forward  and 
dress  the  cuts,  as  soon  as  the  old  man  goes  below." 

He  growled  his  thanks ;  but  if  the  master  had  stood  where  I  was  standing 
he  would  have  felt  the  blow  of  a  sheath  knife  in  his  side,  or  I  am  much  mis- 
taken. 

I  dressed  the  man's  head  and  face  in  the  course  of  the  forenoon,  and  my 
patient  muttered  his  thanks,  and  said  that  he  would  not  forget  a  good  turn, 
and  would  remember  a  bad  one  for  a  good  many  years. 

The  next  morning,  just  at  daylight,  the  captain  opened  the  door  of  my 
stateroom,  and  shouted,  — 

"  Come,  rouse  out  of  this.  Land  is  in  sight,  and  by  four  bells  we  shall  be 
in  the  bay." 

I  threw  on  my  clothes,  and  ran  on  deck.  It  was  broad  daylight  by  the 
time  I  stood  alongside  the  captain,  on  the  heel  of  the  bowsprit,  and  saw  for 
the  first  time  the  dark  shores  of  Australia,  relieved  here  and  there  by  patch- 
es of  white  sand,  and  bold,  savage-looking  rocks,  where  many  a  noble  vessel 
had  left  her  ribs  before  the  era  of  light-houses  and  reliable  charts. 

"Well,"  asked  the  master,  with  a  grin  on  his  mahogany-colored  face, 
"  what  do  yer  think  of  yer  new  home  ?  " 

"  Wait  until  a  year  from  now,  and  I  will  answer  your  question.  Now  I 
am  too  much  occupied  with  thoughts  of  the  future  to  reply." 

"  Ah,"  snarled  the  master,  "  the  more  yer  see  of  the  place  and  people  the 
less  yer  will  like  them.  Most  of  the  men  were  transported  for  crimes,  and, 
damn  me,  if  I  don't  think  they  deserved  all  they  received." 

"  Surely,"  I  remarked,  "  there  must  be  some  good,  honest  people  in  Aus- 
tralia." 

"  There  may  be,  but  I  have  never  heard  of  them." 

And,  with  this  parting  snarl  at  some  of  the  most  enterprising  and  hospita- 
ble people  in  the  world,  the  master  walked  aft,  and  left  me  to  ruminate  on 
the  prejudices  of  seamen,  and  the  beauty  of  the  coast,  and  the  dark-blue 
water  through  which  we  were  passing  at  a  rapid  rate,  followed  by  schools  of 
porpoises,  and  flocks  of  sea  fowl,  the  latter  nearly  coming  on  board,  in  their 
eagerness  to  scrutinize  the  ship  and  the  people  moving  about  the  decks, 
while  they  darted  with  the  swiftness  of  lightning  at  every  bit  of  matter  that 
was  thrown  overboard,  in  the  hope  of  receiving  a  morsel  of  grease  or  meat 
for  breakfast. 

We  ran  along  the  coast  until  seven  bells,  and  then  a  pilot-boat  came  out 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


from  behind  a  bold  headland,  and  stood  along  on  the  wind,  so  as  to  inter- 
cept us. 

"  Blast  him,"  muttered  the  captain,  "  I  know  the  way  in,  but  I  must  take 
him,  I  suppose.  In  with  the  topmast  studding-sails,  and  stand  by  to  brace 
up  the  headyards,  so  as  to  lay  the  maintopsail  to  the  mast.  Rig  in  the 
booms,  and  unreef  the  geer,  Mr.  Mallet.  We  sha'n't  want  any  spare  canvas 
for  today,  at  least." 

In  half  an  hour's  time  the  pilot-boat  was  alongside  of  us,  and  sent  us  a 
red-headed,  grisly  old  fellow,  with  a  squint  in  one  eye,  and  a  small  hump  on 
his  back,  the  effect  of  bending  over  yardarms  in  English  seventy-fours,  dur- 
ing gales  of  wind,  when  reefing  and  furling  had  to  be  done  in  a  hurry,  or  a 
dozen  blows  of  the  cat  on  the  bare  back  rewarded  the  last  man  off  the  yard. 

"Cap'en,"  growled  the  old  pilot,  as  soon  as  he  touched  the  deck,  "have 
you  got  a  bloody  piece  of  'bacca  to  give  a  mate  what  a'n't  had  a  chaw  for 
the  last  twenty-four  hours  ?  and  while  you  is  about  it  jist  tell  the  steward  to 
fetch  a  tot  of  grog.  Put  yer  helm  up,  and  let  her  slide.  Well  yer  foreyard. 
Steady  as  yer  go.  How  long  afore  breakfast  will  be  ready  ?  " 

The  steward  brought  the  old  fellow  a  tot  of  grog,  and  a  hand  of  navy 
plug  tobacco,  and  once  more  we  headed  for  the  dark  rocks  that  guard  the 
entrance  to  Port  Phillip  and  Hobson's  Bay. 

The  pilot  knew  but  little  about  wool,  and  cared  less.  He  said  that  there 
was  a  rousing  lot  of  gold  being  parbuckled  out  of  the  mines  at  Ballarat,  and 
other  places,  and  there  was  some  good  strikes  all  round,  but  he  did  n't  pay 
much  attention  to  'em,  as  piloting  was  good  enough  for  him,  at  his  time  of 
life. 

"  I  should  think  it  would  be,"  muttered  the  captain.  "  A  hundred  dollars 
for  taking  the  ship  in,  and  another  hundred  for  taking  her  out.  What  are 
gold  mines  alongside  of  that  ?  " 

We  ate  breakfast,  and  then  I  packed  up  my  baggage,  —  a  hammock  and  a 
clothes-bag ;  and  while  I  was  thus  occupied  the  captain  entered  the  cabin. 

"  Angus,"  he  said,  "  how  much  money  have  yer  in  yer  lockers  ?  Enough 
to  take  care  of  yer  till  yer  finds  somethin'  to  do  ?  " 

"Yes,  sir;  I  have  just  one  hundred  sovereigns  in  a  belt  around  my  waist." 

"  Well,  that  a'n't  none  too  much.  Them  fellows  will  steal  the  teeth  right 
out  of  yer,  if  they  gets  the  chance.  You  have  been  a  pretty  good  boy  on 
the  passage,  and  so  here  's  fifty  dollars.  I  refund  yer  half  of  yer  money. 
Yer  may  want  it,  and  the  owners  won't  miss  it." 

I  thanked  the  captain  for  his  kindness,  and  took  the  gold;  for  I  was  not 
sure  but  that  I  had  earned  it  during  the  passage. 


io  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"And,  Angus,"  said  the  old  man,  "do  yer  think  yer  will  go  to  the 
mines?" 

"  Yes,  sir,  if  I  can't  find  a  good  situation  in  Melbourne.  I  know  some- 
thing about  digging  gold,  and  quartz  mining,  and,  perhaps,  1  may  find  a  for- 
tune in  the  country  if  not  in  the  city." 

"  And  what  will  yer  do  if  yer  meet  with  some  of  them  bushranging  thieves  ? 
The  country  is  full  of  'em." 

"  I  have  a  nice  revolver,  and  know  how  to  use  it." 

44  Bah  !  a  revolver  a'n't  much  agin  a  dozen  bloody  scoundrels  what  would 
cut  yer  throat  in  no  time  for  a  York  shillin'.  Tell  yer  what  I  '11  do,  Angus. 
I  've  got  a  repeating  rifle ;  fires  seven  shots  as  quick  as  wink,  and  can  do 
sure  work,  too.  Yer  shall  have  it,  my  lad ;  and  may  it  do  yer  some  good 
when  yer  want  a  steady  hand  and  a  cool  head.  Here  it  is.  Yer  see  that  it 
all  comes  apart.  Well,  now  stow  it  away  in  yer  bag,  and  no  one  will  dream 
that  it  is  there." 

I  was  delighted  with  the  gift,  but  made  some  show  of  refusing  it.  The 
captain,  whose  heart  seemed  to  expand  as  the  time  for  parting  came,  insist- 
ed on  my  accepting  the  present,  and,  to  the  captain's  kindness  and  fore- 
thought, I  am  now  enabled  to  write  the  various  changes  of  my  eventful  his- 
tory, for  more  than  once  has  that  little  repeating  rifle,  weighing  not  more 
than  six  pounds,  stood  between  me  and  death,  when  ambushed  by  the  na- 
tives of  Australia,  or  the  still  more  cruel  bushrangers,  who  murder  for  the 
sake  of  shedding  blood,  and  rob  when  they  can't  use  the  proceeds  of  their 
expedition. 

The  signals  were  run  up  to  the  fore,  and  were  answered  from  the  signal 
station  on  the  borders  of  the  bay,  on  a  high  bluff  that  overlooked  an  im- 
mense expanse  of  water.  In  a  few  minutes  we  saw  a  steam  tug  coming  to- 
ward us  at  a  rapid  rate. 

"  Now  we  shall  know  all  about  our  fate  in  a  few  minutes,"  the  captain 
said.  "  Pilot,  had  n't  we  better  wait  for  that  fellow  here  ?  I  don't  want  to 
go  nearer  the  anchorage  than  I  can  help,  unless  obliged  to." 

"  Sartainly,  cap.  Anything  for  a  quiet  life,  as  the  convict  said,  when  they 
gagged  him  for  using  too  much  lip.  Brace  up  the  foreyard,  haul  up  the 
foresail,  round  in  the  cross-jack  braces.  Put  yer  helm  to  port.  So,  steady. 
Gently  with  her.  Ease  off  the  spanker  sheet  a  little,  or  you  '11  have  the  old 
hooker  comin'  round  on  another  tack.  She  works  like  a  pilot-boat.  Most 
of  the  Yankee  clipper  ships  do.  So.  Well,  all.  Stand  by  to  give  'em  a 
rope,  and  see  that  the  d— d  thieves  don't  cut  off  a  fathom,  when  they  cast 
it  off." 


The  Be  lie  cf  Australia.  n 


And,  while  the  pilot  was  thus  handling  the  ship,  and  giving  advice,  the  old 
Iowa  came  to  the  wind,  with  her  maintopsail  to  the  mast,  and  remained  sta- 
tionary, as  a  tug  ran  alongside,  and  a  person,  whom  I  took  to  be  the  skipper, 
hailed,  — 

"  Is  this  the  Iowa,  from  San  Francisco,  to  call  for  orders  ?" 

••  Yes.     What  news  for  us  ?  "  asked  Captain  Crescent. 

"  Here  's  the  papers.  Yer  can  see  for  yerself,"  was  the  answer:  and  he 
passed  up  a  package  on  the  end  of  a  boat-hook. 

The  captain  broke  the  seal,  and  read  the  note  that  was  addressed  to  him. 

The  mate  and  second  mate  drew  near  the  "  old  man  "  with  anxious  faces. 
They  wanted  to  know  the  destination  of  the  ship. 

"  Holy  Moses  !  "  cried  the  master,  "  this  is  good  enough  for  me.  No 
wool,  and  no  freight.  We  're  off  for  China  and  tea." 

A  suppressed  groan  escaped  from  the  mates,  and  they  looked  at  each  oth- 
er in  despair,  while  the  crew,  who  caught  the  bad  news  from  the  elated  ex- 
pression of  the  captain's  face,  clustered  together,  and  seemed  to  meditate 
mutiny. 

"  Skipper,"  shouted  Captain  Crescent,  to  the  master  of  the  tug,  "  I  want 
yer  to  land  a  passenger  for  me,  and  here  's  a  plug  of  tobacco  to  pay  yer  for 
your  trouble." 

He  flung  a  package  of  navy  plug  to  the  deck  of  the  tug  as  he  spoke. 

"  All  right,"  was  the  answer.  "  Pass  over  his  dunnage,  for  I  'm  in  a  hur- 
ry. I  Ve  got  to  tow  a  bark  down  the  Yarra  at  twelve." 

Some  of  the  men  passed  my  hammock  and  clothes-bag  over  the  side,  and 
then  I  shook  hands  with  the  captain  and  mate,  and,  as  I  did  so,  the  latter 
whispered,  — 

"  Wish  I  was  goin'  with  yer.  We  're  tired  of  this  bloody  old  hooker,  and 
every  one  on  board." 

"  So  'long,  my  lad,"  said  Captain  Crescent.  "  Hope  ye  '11  make  yer  for- 
tune, and  won't  be  cleaned  out  by  the  bushrangers.  Take  care  of  yer  mon- 
ey. Better  bank  it  as  soon  as  possible,  for  them  people  on  shore  will  steal 
if  they  has  a  chance." 

I  passed  over  the  side,  the  line  was  cast  off,  and  the  tug  steamed  away, 
while  the  ship  wore  short  round  on  her  heel,  braced  sharp  up,  and  stood  out 
of  the  bay. 

"  So  yer  a  Yankee,  a'n't  yer  ?  "  as!:ed  the  skipper  of  the  tug,  as  we  steamed 
along,  after  I  had  waved  a  farewell  to  the  old  ship,  which  I  must  confess  I 
left  with  a  heavy  heart. 

"  WThat  makes  you  think  I  am  a  Yankee  ?  "  I  inquired. 


12  The  Beltc  of  Australia. 

"Wall,  yer  looks  like  a  cross  between  a  Frenchman  and  a  Yankee.  Whar 
is  you  going?" 

"  Melbourne." 

"  Know  any  one  thar?" 

"  Not  a  soul." 

"  What  is  yer  goin'  to  do  when  yer  gets  there  ?  "  the  skipper  asked. 

"  Don't  know.     Have  n't  made  up  my  mind  as  yet." 

"  Wall,"  continued  the  skipper,  as  he  gnawed  off  a  huge  chunk  of  the  to- 
bacco which  Captain  Crescent  had  given  him,  "  if  yer  is  a  cross  between  a 
Yankee  and  a  Frenchman  yer  '11  own  half  of  Melbourne  in  less  than  ten 
years.  They  is  jist  the  awfulest  coves  to  get  on  that  we  has  around  here." 

We  steamed  on  past  the  shipping  lying  at  anchor  at  William's  Town,  with 
the  flags  of  all  nations  flying,  and,  to  give  variety  to  the  scene,  I  noticed  two 
English  frigates,  and  a  French  seventy-four,  just  outside  of  the  peaceable 
merchant  vessels. 

"  I  'm  going  up  the  Yarra  for  a  tow,  and  will  land  yer  at  Melbourne  in 
less  than  half  an  hour.  Ever  here  afore  ?  " 

"  Never.  All  seems  strange  and  new  to  me.  I  think  I  shall  like  Austra- 
lia." 

"  Don't  be  too  sure  of  that,  lad,"  growled  the  skipper.  "  Many  coves 
has  thought  the  same  thing  when  they  has  arrived  from  a  long  voyage,  but 
they  has  changed  all  that  in  less  than  a  year.  When  I  fust  came  here  I 
thought  the  place  was  a  paradise ;  but  afore  one  month  I  wished  myself  and 
the  whole  country  in  a  red-hot  —  Wall,  never  mind  whar.  Whar  are 
yer  goin'  now,  yer  South-Spain  booby?" 

This  last  remark  was  addressed  to  a  fishing-boat,  or  yawl,  which  was  at- 
tempting to  cross  the  bows  of  the  tug,  and  required  the  skipper  to  shut  off 
steam,  or  run  the  fellow  down. 

"  I  'd  like  to  smash  'em,"  the  irate  skipper  said,  as  he  passed  the  boat, 
the  inmates  of  which  saluted  us  with  ironical  cheers,  and  some  gestures 
which  would  not  be  considered  polite  in  fashionable  society,  or  among  the 
creme  de  la  crime  of  Beacon  Street  and  Commonwealth  Avenue. 

I  must  give  our  tug's  crew  the  high  praise  of  saying  that  to  all  the  in- 
sults and  gestures  they  returned  word  for  word,  motion  for  motion,  and  oath 
for  oath.  I  had  heard  profanity  in  the  mines  of  California,  and  in  the  gam- 
bling hells  of  San  Francisco,  but  for  original,  utterly  utter  swearing  that 
which  I  listened  to  on  the  Yarra- Yarra  (the  meaning  of  which  in  the  native 
tongue  denotes  flowing  flowing)  surpassed  all  previous  experiences  in  God- 
defying  expressions 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


"  The  miserable,  ticket-of-leave  sons  of  the  devil  !  "  growled  the  skipper. 
"  I  shall  have  to  fetch  'em  some  day.  Human  natur  can't  stand  it  much 
longer.  These  blasted  cusses  has  the  right  of  way,  and  they  knows  it,  but 
I  shall  have  to  fetch  'em  some  time.  Go  ahead,  and  let  's  get  up  the 
river  some  time  today.  Oh,  how  I  should  like  to,  but  I  s'pose  I  should 
have  to  pay  for  it  ;  and  yet  how  much  better  for  the  place  if  sich  rats  was 
drowned  as  they  deserve." 

In  a  few  minutes  the  skipper  recovered  something  of  his  good-nature,  and 
resumed  his  subject,  broken  off  by  the  encounter  with  the  fishermen,  who 
were  now  far  astern. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  he  said,  "  the  first  few  months  I  was  here  I  did  wish  an  earth- 
quake would  swallow  up  the  whole  island,  but  now  I  feels  quite  content 
with  my  lot." 

"  What  has  produced  such  a  change  in  your  disposition  ?  "  I  asked. 

The  skipper  looked  at  me  rather  sharply,  while  the  man  who  was  steering 
the  tug,  and  had  heard  all  of  the  conversation,  turned  away  his  head  so  that 
his  superior  could  not  see  the  grin  that  spread  all  over  his  face,  from  ear  to 
ear,  as  he  tried  to  suppress  a  hearty  laugh. 

"  Never  yer  mind  what  has  changed  me,"  the  master  said.  "  If  yer  had 
to  do  the  work  that  I  did  once,  yer  'd  cuss  the  day  yer  was  born." 

And  then  the  man,  with  a  scowl  on  his  sun-burned  face,  walked  aft  to  see 
about  his  tow-line. 

"  He  vos  transported  for  ten  years,  and  had  to  work  on  the  roads  all  that 
time,"  whispered  the  wheelman,  as  soon  as  the  skipper  turned  his  back. 
"  He  vos  a  hard  one,  and  no  mistake.  But  he  's  all  right  now,  and  vould  n't 
steal  from  his  brother  unless  he  had  a  gallus  chance." 

"  What  was  he  transported  for  ?  "  I  inquired. 

"  Oh,  veil,  he  mashed  a  shipmate's  head,  and  took  all  his  chink.  The 
man  he  died  did  arter  a  vile,  and  so  the  big  vigs  sent  him  out  here  to  mend 
the  roads,  and,  I  tell  yer,  he  was  kept  at  it  pretty  veil  till  he  got  his  ticket- 
of-leave,  and  ven  his  sentence  vas  hout  he  jist  staid  here.  But  he  's  all 
right  how."  The  man  at  the  wheel  was  silent  for  a  moment,  and  then  ask- 
ed, "  Say,  has  yer  got  much  chink  in  yer  pocket  ?  " 

"  No,  very  little." 

"  All  right.  I  vos  in  'opes  yer  had  lots,  so  that  yer  could  tip  the  boys 
some  beer.  But  I  say,  youngster,  mum  is  the  word,  yer  knows." 

"  Yes,  certainly." 

"  And  if  I  vos  you,  you  know,  ven  the  skipper  recommended  me  to  go  to 
a  certain  boarding-'ouse,  yer  know,  don't  yer  see  I  'd  go  to  some  other,  yer 


14  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

know.  But  mum  is  the  vord,  yer  know.  But  'ere  ve  is,  right  alongside  the 
bark  vot  ve  is  to  tow  down  the  river,  and  1  thinks  they  is  all  ready  for 
us." 

The  engine  stopped,  and  we  run  alongside  of  a  small  English  bark,  that 
did  not  draw  more  than  ten  feet  of  water  aft,  and  was  lying  at  Queen's 
Wharf,  a  nice  looking  pier,  that  was  just  opposite  a  wide  street. 

"  Pass  up  the  gentleman's  dunnage,"  cried  the  master  of  the  steam-tug; 
and,  while  the  men  were  doing  so,  he  asked,  "  Do  yer  know  where  to  go  ? 
Do  yer  want  a  nice,  quiet  boarding-house,  where  the  cost  won't  be  much, 
and  the  lush  and  grub  is  first-class  ?  If  yer  do,  say  the  word,  and  I  can  put 
yer  on  the  track  of  a  bully  place,  kept  by  a  widder  woman,  what  would  just 
coddle  the  life  out  of  a  fine-looking  youngster  like  yer.  She  'd  keep  yer 
away  from  the  gals." 

"Thanks,"  I  said,  remembering  the  warning  of  the  wheelman,  "  I  shall  go 
to  some  hotel,  and  look  about  me  for  a  few  days,  before  I  settle  down  in  a 
boarding  or  lodging  house." 

"  All  right,  mate,  have  it  yer  own  way.  I  has  taken  a  fancy  to  yer,  and 
would  like  to  help  a  good-looking,  decent  lad  like  yer.  That  face  of  yern 
will  lead  yer  in  some  bad  mess  with  the  girls  afore  yer  has  been  ashore 
twenty-four  hours,  unless  yer  has  some  old  mother  likely  to  ballast  yer  with 
good  advice." 

I  blushed  and  laughed  at  his  flattery,  and,  had  I  not  been  warned  by  the 
wheelman,  would  have  taken  the  skipper's  advice,  for  I  now  more  than  half 
suspect  the  fellow  gave  me  a  dose  of  romance  because  he  thought  that  there 
was  a  good  field  to  practice  on  a  greenhorn  who  did  not  know  the  ways  of 
the  country. 

Had  I  listened  to  the  master  of  the  steam-tug,  had  I  but  asked  the  names 
of  the  former  and  latter,  gone  to  the  boarding-house  which  was  presided 
over  by  the  careful  old  widow,  much  embarrassment  would  have  been  spared 
me,  and  I  could  then  have  referred  with  confidence  to  the  statements  which 
I  had  to  make  that  same  evening.  But  I  did  nothing  of  the  kind,  and  so 
was  the  innocent  and  careless  means  of  producing  a  state  of  affairs  which 
even  romance  has  hardly  ever  equaled  by  the  most  vivid  imagination.  Fate 
willed  it  otherwise,  much  to  my  regret  at  the  time,  and  to  my  own  unhappi- 
ness  and  that  of  others.  Who  could  have  supposed,  seeing  me  land  on 
Queen's  Wharf,  that  bright  summer  morning  in  November,  that  before  mid- 
night I  was  to  be  united  in  marriage  to  the  Belle  of  Australia,  the  hand- 
somest young  lady  that  ever  walked  the  streets  of  Melbourne  or  Sydney, 
rich,  proud,  disdainful  of  all  common  things,  who  had  rejected  scores  of  lov- 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


ers,  and  whose  heart  had  never  been  touched  by  the  arrows  of  the  god  of 
Love,  so  far  as  was  known  by  society  ? 

My  baggage,  what  little  I  had,  was  removed  to  the  wharf,  and  then 
pitching  a  two-dollar-and-a-half  gold  piece  to  the  thirsty  deck  hands,  bade 
them  drink  my  health,  or  spend  the  money  as  they  thought  best.  They 
seemed  to  think  that  beer  was  the  right  thing  just  at  that  time,  for  all  hands 
left  the  tug,  and  rushed  to  the  nearest  saloon  at  the  head  of  the  pier,  much 
to  the  disgust  of  the  master,  who  swore  at  the  men,  and  at  me,  in  no  meas- 
ured terms.  I  did  not  hear  the  conclusion  of  his  peppery  remarks,  but  hail- 
ed a  drayman,  who  was  sitting  on  his  team  laughing  at  the  skipper  and 
crew,  and  throwing  in  a  word  or  two  of  slang  when  an  opportunity  offered, 
and  asked  him  if  he  wanted  a  job. 

"  Yes,  and  some  beer  at  the  same  time,"  was  the  ready  answer. 

"  All  right.  The  job  first,  and  the  beer  afterward.  Pile  those  duds  on 
your  cart,  and  let  us  be  off." 

"Wharto?" 

The  skipper  stopped  swearing  to  listen  to  the  directions,  but  I  was  de- 
termined he  should  not  know  my  destination,  so  replied,  — 

"  Oh,  put  on  the  baggage,  and  I  '11  tell  you  when  we  get  off  the  wharf." 

The  man  loaded  the  few  effects  which  I  owned,  and  then  I  mounted  on 
the  dray,  and  up  the  pier  we  rattled. 

"  Stranger  here  ?  "  asked  the  driver. 

"Yes." 

"  Yankee  or  Frenchman  ?  " 

"  Yankee." 

"  Thought  so.  If  yer  had  said  luggage  should  just  took  my  Bible  oath 
that  yer  was  French.  Only  Yankees  says  baggage.  Get  up,  yer  lazy  dev- 
il ;  are  yer  goin'  to  sleep  ?  " 

The  last  remark  was  addressed  to  the  horse,  which  had  stopped  as  though 
exhausted  at  the  prospect  before  him.  Every  rib  in  his  body  was  visible, 
and  his  coat  was  like  the  quills  on  a  porcupine,  never  having  felt  brush  or 
cloth. 

"  Where  can  I  find  a  cheap  hotel  ?  "  I  asked,  as  we  moved  along  through 
the  crowded  streets. 

"  Yer  means  a  chop  house,  where  yer  can  lodge,  and  grub  when  yer  likes. 
That  's  what  yer  means,  I  s'pose,"  the  drayman  said. 

"  You  have  caught  my  meaning.     Name  the  place." 

"Well,  there  's  the  Hen  and  Chickens.  The  lush  is  good,  and  the 
Charges  is  moderate." 


1 6  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


••  Is  the  hotel  located  in  a  nice  place  ?" 

••  Well,  I  should  think  it  was.  Near  Collins  Street,  the  banks,  and  all  the 
swell  places." 

"  Are  the  charges  moderate  ?  " 

••  A  crown  a  day  for  a  slap-up  room,  and  the  grub  hextra.  It 's  a  paradise 
for  them  what  has  the  blunt,  and  the  lush  is  good,  and  no  mistake." 

"  What  do  you  mean  by  lush  ?  " 

The  man  looked  at  me  in  a  contemptuous  manner,  as  though  I  was  a  little 
too  green  to  converse  with  an  enlightened  citizen  of  Melbourne.  At  length 
he  answered,  — 

"  I  s'posed  that  any  blessed  fool  knowed  that  lush  meant  drink.  Where  in 
the  devil's  name  did  yer  come  from  ?  " 

"  San  Francisco,"  I  answered.  "  They  have  as  big  rascals  there  as  can 
be  found  in  Melbourne,  but  I  don't  think  they  call  drink  lush." 

The  fellow's  face  clouded  for  a  moment,  then  he  said,  — 

"Great  place  San  Francisco.  Have  a  cousin  there.  P'aps  yer  know 
him.  Darky  Dunder.  He  's  in  the  crimping  line." 

"  Crimping  hair  ?  "  I  asked,  without  a  smile  on  my  face,  and  as  grave  as  a 
judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Massachusetts  when  he  is  not  certain  on  a 
law  point." 

"  Crimping  the  devil !  No,  he  gets  sailors  drunk,  and  then  ships  'em 
afore  they  knows  it,  and  when  they  wakes  up  they  is  on  the  'bounding 
blue,'  as  the  poet  says.  Is  yer  a  poet  ? " 

"  No." 

"  Well,  yer  kinder  looks  like  one.  I  had  a  cousin  once  what  was  a  poet. 
O  cracky!  how  he  could  jist  sling  the  words  and  beer  at  the  same  time. 
He  was  a  pot  boy  in  Lunnon." 

"Where  is  he  now?" 

"  Dead.  Drank  too  much  swipes,  and  seed  things ;  and  one  day  he  said 
the  devil  was  arter  him,  and  he  jist  slashed  a  razor  across  his  throat,  and  that 
settled  him." 

The  remembrance  of  his  cousin's  fate  set  the  fellow  to  musing,  and,  while 
he  held  his  tongue,  I  admired  the  broad  streets,  and  stately  buildings  which 
we  passed,  and,  just  as  we  turned  a  corner,  a  nice-looking  gentleman,  who 
was  waiting  for  us  to  move,  looked  up  at  me,  smiled,  and  actually  took  off 
his  hat,  and  bowed  to  me  in  the  politest  manner. 

I  knew  that  he  did  not  know  me,  but  I  returned  his  bow,  and  smiled  in 
return.  I  was  not  to  be  outdone  in  politeness. 

"  Thought  yer  was  a  stranger  here,"  growled  the  driver. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  17 


"So  I  am." 

"Strangers  don't  have  the  richest  man  in  Melbourne  bow  to 'em,  and 
take  off  his  hat  as  though  yer  was  one  of  the  tip-top  swells." 

"  Some  mistake,"  I  replied. 

"  I  believe  yer  are  givin'  me  sour  beer,"  was  the  response,  which,  as  near 
as  I  could  understand,  meant  what  we  call  "  taffy." 

Just  then  an  elegant  carriage,  with  a  driver  and  footman,  in  livery,  came 
along,  and  a  fine-looking  old  lady,  glancing  out  of  the  window,  saw  me, 
smiled,  and  then  bowed,  and  waved  a  lace  handkerchief  in  greeting. 

I  responded  to  the  salute  with  a  bow,  and  a  flourish  of  my  hat,  which  wa.-> 
really  a  nice  Panama,  that  no  person  need  to  have  been  ashamed  of. 

"Well,  I  'm  blowed  !  "  gasped  the  driver.  "  If  this  'ere  thing  keeps  on  I 
'11  tell  yer  what  I  means  to  do.*' 

"Well,  tell  me." 

"  I  '11  drive  right  up  to  the  Government  'Ouse,  that 's  what  I  '11  do.  A  cove 
what  has  rich  old  gals  like  that  bow  to  'em,  a'n't  the  kind  of  chicken  for  a 
cheap  lushing  crib."' 

"  Yet  I  do  not  know  the  lady,  and  assure  you  that  I  never  saw  her  before, 
as  far  as  I  am  aware." 

"  Not  know  her  ?  Does  yer  mean  to  tell  me  that  yer  don't  know  the  lieu- 
tenant-governor's wife  when  yer  sees  her  ?  " 

"  I  never  saw  the  lady  before,  I  am  certain." 

The  driver  gazed  at  me  in  silence  for  a  moment,  and  then  muttered  "sour 
beer,"  whipped  his  horse,  as  if  in  revenge  for  my  conduct,  and,  after  a  while, 
asked, — 

"Well,  shall  it  be  the  Government  "Ouse  or  the  Hen  and  Chickens?" 

"  First  tell  me,"  I  responded,  "  can  I  obtain  a  clean  bed  and  civil  treat- 
ment at  the  Hen  and  Chickens  ? "' 

"  No  better  in  Melbourne.  They  is  on  style  there,  and  would  n't  take  in 
a  cove  like  me  'cos  I  don"t  dress  well  enough ;  and  then  the  lush  is 
about " — 

"  Never  mind  the  lush.     You  have  told  me  that  before." 

"  And  I  '11  tell  it  to  yer  agin  and  agin,  if  I  wants  to.  When  a  place  keeps 
good  stuff  it  had  oughter  be  advertised.  There  is  lots  of  poor  liquors  sold 
here,  and,  if  yer  is  on  the  drink,  yer  '11  find  it  out  afore  a  great  while." 

By  this  time  we  were  in  such  a  crowded  thoroughfare  that  I  did  not  relish 
being  perched  on  the  team,  so  slipped  off,  and  told  the  man  that  I  would 
follow  him  to  my  chop  house,  as  I  imagined  that  I  could  see  the  city  to  bet- 
ter advantage  from  the  sidewalk. 

2 


,8  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

r 
"  All  right,"  he  responded.     "  I  thought  yer  would  sicken  of  me  afore 

long." 

I  walked  along  the  sidewalk,  and  met  many  well-dressed  gentlemen,  some 
of  whom  stared  at  me  in  a  very  bold  manner,  and  two  or  three  raised  their 
hats  quite  respectfully,  and  would  have  stopped  and  exchanged  some  words 
with  me,  had  I  not  hurried  on,  being  fearful  of  losing  sight  of  the  dray 
driver. 

Of  course  all  this  attention  was  a  puzzle  to  me,  but  I  thought  that  it  was 
a  genial  custom  of  the  city  to  show  a  little  courtesy  to  strangers,  and  that  all 
whom  I  met  recognized  me  as  such.  In  fact,  one  old  gentleman,  with  a  sharp 
face,  thin,  upright  form,  tall  and  dignified,  a  grizzly  mustache  and  goatee, 
stopped  directly  in  front  of  me,  and  said  in  French,  with  a  smile,  and  a 
shrug  of  his  straight  shoulders,  — 

"  Bon  jour,  monsieur." 

••Bon  jour,"  I  responded,  for  I  did  not  want  to  disappoint  such  a  smiling 
and  courteous  gentleman,  a  Frenchman  of  the  old  school,  and,  perhaps,  a 
member  of  the  old  regime.  t 

"Je  suis  content  de  vous  voir  ici,"  the  stranger  continued,  and  bowed 
quite  low,  and  raised  his  hat,  and  swept  it  through  the  air  like  a  broadsword. 

Thanks  to  my  dear  mother,  who  had  learned  the  French  language  while 
living  abroad  the  first  few  years  of  her  wedded  life,  I  had  acquired  some 
knowledge  of  the  tongue,  and,  therefore,  knew  that  the  French  gentleman 
had  said  that  he  was  very  much  pleased  to  meet  me. 

"  Merci,  monsieur,"  I  answered,  "  vous  etes  tres  polis." 

In  the  mean  while  the  confounded  drayman  was  disappearing,  and  I  saw 
him  grin  at  me  as  though  he  was  delighted  at  my  being  interrupted. 

"  Bon  jour,  monsieur,"  I  cried,  as  I  tried  to  pass  him,  but  he  put  his  hat 
on  his  head,  laid  one  long,  bony  hand  on  my  arm,  and  whispered,  — 

"  Attendez,  monsieur.     Je  vous  dis." 

'But,  confound  it,  I  can't  wait,"  I  said,  "and as  for  telling  me  'attendez,' 
let  it  go  for  some  other  time." 

"  Ecoutez  moi,"  smiled  the  gallant  Frenchman.  "  When  married  you  is 
to  be  on  the  day  much  hurry  you  is.  Hey.  Bien,  think  I  should.  Hey?" 

"  Yes,  naturally,"  wondering  what  the  old  fellow  was  driving  at. 

"  Your  fiancee,  sweetheart,  yours.     Hey  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,"  I  replied.     "  Je  vous  comprend." 

"Cestbon.     Good  it  is.     Nice  girl,  little.     Petite.     Hey?" 

"  Certainly.  Never  saw  a  nicer  lady  in  my  life,"  and  again  I  attempted  to 
dodge  him,  but  was  unsuccessful. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  19 

I  thought  the  old  fellow  mad,  or  love-cracked  on  some  girl,  and  would  hu- 
mor him  to  the  best  of  his  bent. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  drayman  had  corallecl  his  team  in  the  gutter,  and 
gone  in  to  a  saloon  for  a  glass  of  beer.  He  could  not  pass  one  without 
stopping.  His  horse  dropped  its  head,  and  went  to  sleep,  for  which  I  was 
thankful,  for  I  feared  the  Frenchman  would  hold  on  to  me  until  an  earthquake 
shook  him  to  some  other  part  of  the  city. 

"  Oui,"  murmured  the  Frenchman,  "  tres  petite.  Tres  jolie.  Hey.  Oh, 
milord,  lucky  is  you.  Dame.  Twenty  years  myself  younger  I  take  her.  Vot 
you  calls  cut  out.  Hey.  Bonne  girl.  Wants  title  all  the  time.  Parbleu. 
S'il  vous  plait,  mad  you  is  not.  Hey  ?  " 

"  Non,  sans  doute." 

"  Diantre,  blame  her  do  not  I,  when  a  bon  gargon  like  you  for  her  love 
does  ask,  and  makes  her  a  lady  to  be.  Hey  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  should  be  surprised  if  she  did  not  strike  her  flag  under  the 
circumstances." 

And  then  I  saw  that  blessed  drayman  come  out  of  the  beer  shop,  and 
wipe  his  mouth  with  the  back  of  his  hand. 

"  Non,  non,"  gesticulated  the  Frenchman,  with  a  wave  of  his  hands, 
and  a  movement  of  his  shoulders  that  made  me  fear  the  bones  would  crack. 
"  Non,  a  Frenchman  strike  never  a  woman,  and  Englishman  should  French- 
man like  follow.  You  such  things  vil  do  not.  Hey  ? "' 

"  I  would  die  first,"  I  answered. 

Then  the  lunatic  seized  my  hand  in  both  of  his  own,  and  pressed  it  most 
fervently. 

"  Bon  milord.  Mille  merci,  I  better  know  you  would  not.  She  dear  to 
me,  very.  Friend's  daughter,  old." 

"  Yes,  I  know.     Bon  ami,  and  all  that." 

"  Alors,  go  you,  monsieur,  to  the  house  of  your  fiancee  ?  " 

"  Well,  not  just  at  present.     I  have  other  fish  to  fry." 

"  Poisson  !     Vot  ?     Vot  de  debil  de  poisson  to  do  vid  de  fiancee  ?     Hey  ?" 

He  stared  at  me  in  silence  for  a  moment,  and  then  a  smile  broke  over  his 
white,  thin  face. 

"Ah,  oui.  De  poisson  for  de.  dinner.  Oui.  It  now  I  see.  It  is  bon. 
Go  you  now  where  ?  " 

"  To  my  hotel,"  with  a  grand  air. 

"  Vel,  milord,  vil  you  for  me  take  von  little  ding  your  wife  for  ?  "  the  crank 
asked,  with  a  bland  smile. 

"  No,  not  today." 


20  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


And  I  attempted  to  pass  the  old  gentleman,  and  join  the  drayman,  but 
the  Frenchman  would  not  permit  me  to  do  so. 

••  Attenclez,  milord.  C'est  dommage,  hurry  you.  Hey?  The  bonne  pe- 
tite vil  expect  some  dings  her  old  ami  from.  Oui.  Disappoint  her  vil  1 
not.  Jamais.  Prenez  le  vite." 

And,  as  he  spoke,  he  thrust  into  my  hands  a  small  package,  and  then, 
with  a  simple,  "  An  revoir,  monsieur.  Pas  besoin  de  me  remercier, '  and 
away  he  went. 

"  Hold  on,"  I  said,  as  I  ran  after  him.  "  Arretez.  Wait  a  moment, 
will  you,  and  listen  to  me  ?  There  is  some  horrible  raistake  in  all  this.  I 
am  not  what  I  seem.  You  have  lost  your  tete.  Your  head  is  gone.  Re- 
gardez  vous,  monsieur,  for  a  moment.  What  are  you  giving  me  ?  I  am  a 
stranger,  but  I  will  not  take  you  in.  Will  you  stop  a  moment  ?  " 

"  Tonight,  see  you  will  I,"  was  all  the  Frenchman  would  answer,  and  in- 
to Collins  Street  he  went,  as  I  thought,  and  entered  the  doors  of  the  Mel- 
bourne club  house,  and  I  lost  sight  of  him. 

"  Decidedly,"  I  said  to  myself,  "  this  city  is  full  of  cranks,  and  that 
Frenchman  is  the  boss  of  them  all." 

Putting  the  package,  small  and  compact,  not  larger  than  an  under-sized 
orange,  in  my  pocket,  I  walked  hastily  toward  the  drayman,  but  found  that 
he  had  returned  to  the  saloon,  and  was  having  some  more  beer.  But  he 
soon  came  out,  and,  when  he  saw  me,  remarked,  — 

"  Yer  is  the  swell  what  did  not  know  people  here.     Oh,  yes.     Sour  beer." 

"  If  you  keep  on  drinking  you  will  smell  like  sour  beer,"  1  replied  ;  and 
then  the  true-hearted  Briton  turned  on  me  in  his  wrath. 

"  Did  n't  yer  say  that  yer  knows  nobody  ?  and  did  n't  I  wait  for  yer  while 
yer  gabbled  with  that  old  Frenchman  ?  and  did  n't  yer  make  a  motion  for 
me  to  go  in  and  have  a  drink,  and  that  yer  'd  pay  for  it  ?  " 

I  did  not  answer  the  charge,  and  the  fellow  continued, — 

"  And  a'n't  yer  goin'  to  pay  me  an  hextra  shillin'  for  waitin'  ?  " 

"  Yes,  if  you  proceed,  and  say  no  more  about  it/' 

"  All  right.  Yer  a'n't  a  bad  sort  of  swell,  if  yer  do  salts  the  truth  a  little 
when  yer  wants  to." 

We  turned  into  Elizabeth  Street,  and  then  stopped  before  a  plain,  three- 
story  house,  with  a  sign  board,  on  which  was  painted,  in  bright,  pretentious 
colors,  a  red-and-yellow  hen  and  a  brood  of  chickens. 

"'Ere  yer  are,  sir,"  said  the  drayman.  "This  is  the  old  Hen  and 
Chickens,  and  I  'ope  yer  'onor  won't  forget  to  give  a  willin',  'ard-workin' 
man  a  pot  of  beer." 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


"Wait  until  I  see  if  I  can  get  accommodated  here,"  I  replied,  and  passed 
into  the  tap-room,  where  I  encountered  the  head  waiter,  a  bald-headed  man, 
with  immense  shirt  collar,  and  hair  so  red  and  stiff  that  he  could  have  cook- 
ed a  dinner  by  merely  putting  kettles  on  his  shoulders,  and  splitting  his 
beard  and  the  hair  around  his  temples  for  kindling  wood. 

"  Can  I  engage  a  room  here  ?  "  I  asked,  as  the  waiter  came  toward  me, 
and  beamed  warmly  upon  me. 

"  Room,  sir  ?     Yes,  sir.     Vot  kind  of  a  room,  sir  ?  " 

"  A  sleeping-room,  quiet  and  comfortable." 

"  For  'ow  long,  sir  ?     Yes.  sir,  if  you  please,  sir." 

"  I  don't  know.  It  may  be  for  a  day,  and  it  may  be  for  a  month.  1  am 
undecided." 

"  Veil,  sir,  ve  hexpects  our  guests,  them  vot  is  not  known  to  us,  sir,  to 
pay  in  adwance,  sir.  No  hoffence,  sir,  'cos  none  is  intended." 

"  I  am  ready  to  comply  with  the  custom.  Show  me  the  room,  and  let  me 
see  what  it  is  like." 

"  Yes,  sir.     Vili  yer  follow  me,  sir  ?     Bill,  look  out  for  the  bar  a  minute." 

I  liked  the  room.  It  was  clean,  and  large  enough  to  accommodate  me, 
and  my  belongings.  The  bed  was  not  bad,  and  seemed  to  have  had  fresh 
sheets  put  on  that  very  morning. 

"  A  crown  a  day,"  hummed  the  head  waiter. 

"  I  will  take  it.     Let  the  boots  bring  up  my  luggage  at  once." 

"  Yes,  sir,  and  a  shillin'  to  me  for  showin'  yer  the  room." 

"  Anything  more  ?  " 

"  A  shillin'  to  boots  for  bringin'  up  yer  luggage." 

"  What  else  ?  " 

"Veil,  the  chambermaid  should  n't  be  forgotten,  sir." 

"  Anybody  else  ?  " 

••  Veil,  sir,  ve  vill  think  of  some  other  little  hextras  arter  a  vile." 

"  Don't  be  modest,  my  friend.  Remember  when  you  get  a  guest  squeeze 
him  all  you  can.  It  looks  so  English-like  that  I  should  grow  homesick  un- 
less a  waiter  was  continually  asking  for  fees.  But  go  and  send  up  my  traps, 
and  here  is  your  shilling,  and  one  for  boots,"  and  then  the  waiter  rubbed  his 
bald  head  and  left  me. 

But  I  had  to  go  down-stairs,  and  pay  a  crown  to  the  drayman,  and  to 
stand  the  beer,  but  at  last  I  was  settled  in  the  house  as  a  lodger.  But  still 
I  wanted  an  American  luxury,  —  a  warm  bath,  a  comfortable  shave,  and  a 
thorough  shampooing.  The  head  waiter  had  heard  of  some  kind  of  a  bath 
in  Great  Bourke  Street,  where  people  got  scalded  for  a  reasonable  sum.  He 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


did  n't  know  about  it  personally.  He  never  bathed.  "  It  vos  n't  'ealthy  in 
that  part  of  the  vorld.  Vould  I  please  to  order  dinner  ?  " 

No,  I  would  not  dine  until  I  had  bathed  and  shaved  and  dressed. 

Then  I  thought  of  the  package  that  the  crazy  Frenchman  had  forced  on 
me,  and  of  the  money  which  I  had  in  a  belt  around  my  person.  I  opened 
the  package,  and,  to  my  surprise,  found  that  it  consisted  of  an  exquisite  jew- 
el-box, made  of  pure  gold,  and  contained  a  pair  of  diamond  ear-drops,  that 
were  so  brilliant  and  large  I  almost  dropped  them,  so  astonished  was  I  at  the 
unexpected  sight.  I  ran  to  the  door,  and  locked  it,  as  soon  as  I  had  recov- 
ered from  the  effect  of  the  first  emotion,  and  then  examined  the  jewels  at 
my  leisure.  They  were  steel-blue,  a  color  so  rare  and  valuable,  and  must 
have  weighed  six  carats  each,  and  cost,  as  far  as  I  could  judge,  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  twelve  thousand  dollars,  while  the  box  in  which  they  were  inclosed, 
a  beautiful  specimen  of  art,  and  made  of  solid  gold,  must  have  been  worth 
more  than  a  thousand  dollars. 

What  to  do  with  the  jewels  I  did  not  know.  They  had  been  thrust  upon 
me  in  the  most  mysterious  manner,  and  in  spite  of  my  remonstrances,  yet  I 
knew  if  they  were  found  upon  me,  and  I  could  give  only  my  weak  explana- 
tion, that  the  law  would  make  short  work  of  me.  I  thought  the  subject  all 
over,  and  then  determined  to  conceal  the  box  on  my  person,  and  when  I 
went  to  bathe  to  keep  a  sharp  lookout  for  the  crazy  Frenchman,  and  return 
the  casket  to  him  in  spite  of  his  refusals  to  take  it.  Then  I  re-covered  it 
with  paper,  and  went  down-stairs,  feeling  very  serious,  and  rather  anxious 
for  my  personal  safety. 

"  Where  is  the  proprietor  of  the  Hen  and  Chickens  ?  "  I  asked  of  the 
head  waiter. 

"  Veil,  sir,  'e  's  gone  to  a  'oss  trot,  or  a  prize  fight,  I  does  not  know 
vhich.  If  yer  vants  to  leave  some  dosh  vid  'im  I  '11  take  care  of  it." 

"  I  think  a  bank  would  be  the  best  place.  Some  of  my  money  might 
be  wagered  on  the  wrong  horse,  or  the  weakest  man." 

The  waiter  stared  at  me,  but  did  not  reply.  He  slowly  drew  a  glass  of 
beer,  and  drank  it,  and  then  nodded  his  bald  head  and  grinned,  as  much  as 
to  say,  "  You  see  that  I  'm  a  good  patron  of  the  bar  when  the  proprietor  is 
absent." 

I  went  in  search  of  a  bathing  establishment,  and  found  one  on  Market 
Square,  where  I  astonished  the  proprietor,  who  happened  to  be  a  barber,  by 
asking  for  a  shave,  hair  trimming,  shampooing,  and  a  warm  bath. 

M  My  hyes,"  the  fellow  said,  "  I  thinks  some  von  is  habout  to  get  married. 
I  'm  not  in  that  line  meself,  sir,  but  I  likes  to  see  the  young  ones  kinder 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


mix  up  like  ven  business  is  good.  It  vould  be  a  pity  to  cut  off  too  much  of 
that  curly  'air,  sir.  It  is  wery  nice,  sir,  wery,  and  the  ladies  always  goes  for 
a  gent  vot  'as  'air  like  yours,  sir.  Dark-brown,  and  wery  fine,  and  wery 
curly,  sir.  As  nice  a  'ead  of  'air  as  ever  come  in  this  establishment.  I 
keeps  the  best  in  Melbourne,  sir,  Stranger  'ere,  a'n't  yer,  sir  ?  " 

"  Yes,  somewhat." 

"  I  thought  so,  sir.  Veil,  yer  just  come  to  the  right  place,  and  no  mis- 
take. Nice  smooth  skin  for  a  razor.  It  's  a  pleasure  to  shave  sich  a  cheek 
as  you  'as.  Don't  shave  hoften,  does  yer,  sir  ?  " 

"  No,  not  more  than  once  a  week." 

"  Thought  not.  Now  if  you  vould  let  me  take  off  that  slight  mustache, 
sir,  it  vould  grow  wery  thick  in  the  course  of  a  few  months.  It  is  light,  and 
no  mistake,  but  it  can  be  made  to  grow  vid  a  little  of  my  'air  sprouter. 
Honly  a  crown  a  bottle,  and  it  vill  last  you  six  months.  The  governor-gen- 
eral uses  it  every  mornin',  and  vould  n't  do  vithout  it,  on  no  account  vot- 
ever.  His  vife  jist  hankers  arter  it  all  the  time,  and  all  the  ladies  of  the 
city  has  it  on  their  tables." 

"  Let  the  mustache  alone,"  I  managed  to  say. 

"  All  right,  sir.  I  know  that  some  vimmen  like  a  man  all  the  better  if  he 
has  but  a  feeble  mustache.  They  says  that  a  'eavy  one  tickles  'em  too 
much  ven  they  is  kissed.  Don't  care  for  sich  things  meself,  but  some  men 
does  ven  they  is  young.  They  gets  all  hover  it  ven  they  gets  their  hyes 
open,  sir,  as  the  sayin1  is.  Now  ve  vill  have  a  crack  at  that  'air.  Wery 
nice  'air,  and  I  '11  be  wery  careful  of  it.  It  's  sich  'air  as  the  vimmin  likes.- 
Now  some  of  my  customers  has  'air  like  marlinspikes,  yer  know,  and  it  is  no 
pleasure  to  me  to  cut  sich  'air.  But  yours  is  so  different.  Quite  harristo- 
cratic  'air,  sir,  and  no  mistake.  Some  sich  'air,  sir,  as  the  nobility  has, 
sir." 

"  If  you  won't  say  another  word  about  my  hair  or  mustache  I  '11  give  you 
an  extra  shilling,"  I  said. 

"  Veil,  sir,  the  temptation  is  wery  great,  and  I  '11  try  and  hearn  the  extra 
bob.  But  ven  a  gent  comes  into  my  shop  vid  such  a  fine  "  — 

"  Remember,"  I  cried,  "you  are  on  dangerous  ground." 

"  So  I  am,  sir.  I  '11  keep  my  mouth  shut,  sir,  about  the  'air,  sir,  and  yer 
shall  have  no  cause  to  complain." 

And  the  fellow  really  kept  his  word  ;  yet  I  can't  say  that  I  was  greatly  of- 
fended at  his  words,  for  youth  does  like  flattery  as  well  as  old  age.  My  hair 
was  trimmed  and  washed,  and  then  a  warm  bath  made  me  feel  like  a  bride- 
groom, as  the  barber  said. 


24  "The  Belle  of  Australia. 


I  paid  the  man  a  crown,  and  asked  him  where  was  the  best  and  safest 
bank  in  Melbourne. 

"Veil,  sir,  they  is  hall  slap  bang  up,  but  the  safest  of  hall,  sir,  is,  I  think, 
the  Horiental,  on  Collins  Street.  Jist  turn  to  the  right,  and  then  to  the 
left,  go  ahead  a  vile,  and  there  yer  is.  Yer  won't  take  any  of  my  "  — 

But  I  left  him  while  he  was  extolling  his  hair  invigorator. 

I  had  placed  my  sovereigns,  one  hundred  of  them,  in  a  bag,  for  conven- 
ience sake,  while  the  casket  of  diamonds  I  secured  in  my  bosom,  underneath 
my  clothes,  so  that  no  one  could  steal  it  from  me,  even  if  I  was  asleep,  with- 
out disturbing  me.  The  jewels  were  too  valuable  to  run  any  risk  by  carry- 
ing them  in  my  pockets. 

I  had  to  make  several  inquiries  to  find  the  Oriental  Bank,  in  spite  of  the 
clear  directions  of  the  barber,  but  at  last  I  found  the  building,  a  massive 
structure,  that  would  have  reflected  honor  on  any  stone  palace  in  State 
Street,  Boston.  1  had  no  difficulty  in  making  a  deposit,  and  in  writing  my 
name,  so  that,  if  I  drew  a  check  or  draft,  the  cashier  would  know  that  the 
signature  was  all  right. 

By  the  time  I  had  concluded  my  business  it  was  two  o'clock,  and  I  felt  as 
though  a  good  dinner  would  not  come  amiss,  for  I  had  eaten  nothing  since 
an  early  breakfast  on  board  the  Iowa. 

I  sauntered  along  the  broad,  nice  streets,  filled  with  wagons  drawn  by  six 
and  eight  bullocks,  some  by  horses,  and  quite  frequently  a  mule  team,  of 
extra  pretensions,  loaded  with  wool,  hides,  fire-wood,  vegetables,  and  fruits, 
and  driven  by  men  who  were  armed  with  whips,  six  yards  long,  and  short 
handles,  not  more  than  a  foot  and  a  half  in  length,  but  which  were  used 
with  terrible  force  in  the  hands  of  the  half-brutal-looking  stockmen.  Some- 
times I  saw  a  native  black,  with  only  a  rag  tied  around  his  waist,  trotting 
beside  the  oxen,  and  punching,  them  with  short  spears,  if  the  beasts  did  not 
move  as  fast  as  was  required  by  their  owners.  Three  or  four  times  I  met 
well-dressed  gentlemen,  who  took  off  their  hats,  and  bowed  quite  low  to  me, 
and  would  have  stopped  and  spoken  if  I  had  shown  a  disposition  to  ex- 
change compliments,  but  I  had  seen  enough  cranks  for  one  day,  and 
thought  that  the  people  of  Melbourne  would  let  me  alone,  and  not  be  quite 
so  civil,  when  my  foreign  air  was  worn  off  a  little.  So  on  I  walked,  and 
raised  my  hat  when  other  people  did.  not  wishing  to  be  outdone  in  civility, 
and  at  last  gained  the  shelter  of  the  Hen  and  Chickens,  and  the  head 
waiter,  with  his  hair  and  face  redder  than  ever,  the  effect  of  drinking  beer 
in  the  forenoon,  took  my  order  for  dinner,  and  gave  me  a  nice  piece  of  boil- 
ed mutton  (the  national  dish),  and  some  very  good  vegetables,  one  of  them 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  25 


new  to  me,  and  closed  the  entertainment  with  a  i  ot  of  half-and-half,  a  bit  of 
cheese,  and  a  very  good  pudding,  for  all  of  which  I  paid  four  shillings. 

••  If  yer  please,  sir,"  the  waiter  said,  as  I  paid  him,  and  dropped  thrip- 
pence  in  his  hand,  as  his  fee  for  service,  "shall  I  send  to  the  Royal  Victo- 
ria Theatre,  and  get  yer  a  seat  for  tonight  ?  Great  attraction,  sir." 

•'  What  is  the  attraction  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Vy,  sir,  the  Belle  of  Australia  is  to  be  married  this  'ere  afternoon,  and 
she  goes  to  the  theatre  in  the  hevening,  and  the  governor-general  is  to  be 
thar,  and  hall  his  haids,  and  the  ladies,  and  hall  the  swells  of  the  city.  If  yer 
has  a  hevenin'  suit  of  clothes  yer  can  get  in,  but,  unless  yer  has,  it's  no  go." 

I  had  an  evening  dress  suit  in  my  clothes  bag,  but  they  had  not  seen  the 
light  of  day  for  some  time,  and  must  be  fearfully  wrinkled,  and  I  told  the 
waiter  so. 

"  Oh,  never  mind  that,  sir.  Jist  give  'em  to  me.  I  knows  a  cove  vot  vill 
take  out  all  the  vinkles,  and  make  'em  as  good  as  new.'' 

"  Well,  come  up-stairs,  and  get  them,  and  be  sure  and  secure  me  a  seat. 
By  the  way,''  I  asked,  as  I  started  for  my  room,  "who  is  the  Belle  of  Aus- 
tralia to  marry  ?  " 

*•  Oh,  a  great  swell.  He  's  a  Hinglish  hearl,  sir,  I  'm  told,  and  vorth  no 
end  of  money.  ' 

"  Well,  he  ?s  a  lucky  man,  to  marry  so  handsome  a  girl,  and  she  's  lucky 
in  obtaining  a  title  and  so  much  money.  Hope  I  shall  see  her  tonight  at 
the  theatre." 

"  You  '11  be  sure  to,  sir.  Oh,  she  's  a  beauty,  and  no  mistake.  Hall  the 
young  men  swear  by  her,  she  's  so  awful  lovely." 

I  smiled,  and  went  to  my  room,  and,  after  giving  the  waiter  my  dress  suit, 
to  be  restored  to  its  original  freshness,  and  requesting  him  to  furnish  me 
with  a  white  necktie,  and  a  light-colored  pair  of  gloves,  I  felt  so  sleepy  that 
I  laid  down,  and  went  to  sleep,  and  did  not  awaken  until  six  o'clock,  when  I 
found  my  clothes  at  the  door,  all  ready,  and  looking  quite  nice,  in  spite  of  a 
long  voyage. 

I  dressed,  and  went  down  to  the  coffee-room,  where  I  had  a  cup  of  tea, 
received  my  ticket,  and  a  remark  from  the  head  waiter  that  I  looked  "  wery 
much  like  a  bridegroom,  and  that  he  vished  I  vas." 

"  There  won't  be  a  better  lookin'  swell  in  the  theatre  than  vot  you  is,"  he 
asserted  ;  and  I  did  not  contradict  him,  but  the  fellow  received  half  a  crown 
for  his  trouble  and  flatten-.  "  'Ere  is  a  vite  rose  for  yer  buttonhole.  The 
chambermaid  she  sent  it  vid  her  regards.  Blest  if  she  ha'n't  taken  a  shine 
to  yer." 


26  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


I  thanked  the  girl,  and  went  into  the  street  to  look  at  the  city  by  gaslight, 
as  the  curtain  did  not  rise  until  eight  o'clock.  I  walked  around,  a  light 
shawl  over  my  shoulders,  and,  when  i  came  in  front  of  the  Melbourne  club- 
house, stopped  to  admire  the  building.  It  was  then  twilight,  but  on  each 
side  of  the  entrance  two  great  lights  showed  the  surroundings  as  plain  as 
day. 

Just  as  I  stopped  a  light  covered  team  drove  up  to  the  door.  It  was 
drawn  by  two  dark  horses,  which  looked  as  though  they  could  trot,  and, 
while  I  was  admiring  the  animals,  the  door  of  the  Melbourne  opened,  and 
three  men  came  down  the  steps.  They  passed  close  to  me,  and  the  middle 
one,  a  young  fellow,  glanced  at  me,  and  started  back,  and  I  must  confess 
that  I  was  also  astonished,  for  the  youngster  looked  very  much  like  me,  as 
far  as  I  could  judge.  Then  one  gentleman  said,  — 

"  For  God's  sake,  my  lord,  do  not  hang  back  now.  Your  life,  your  fu- 
ture happiness,  and  everything,  depends  upon  you.  Get  out  of  the  city  as 
quick  as  you  can.  Go  to  Geiong  by  land.  This  team  will  drive  you  all 
night,  and  in  the  morning  you  will  be  safe.  I  would  not  give  a  shilling  for 
your  life  if  you  are  found  in  the  city  tomorrow  morning.  That  old  French- 
man will  carve  you  into  mincemeat,  and  the  brother  and  father  riddle  you 
with  bullets.  No  one  can  ill  treat  the  Belle  of  Australia  and  live.  Every 
hand  will  be  against  you,  and  your  death  will  be  only  a  matter  of  hours,  not 
days.  Now  go.  Think  of  your  mother,  the  countess,  and  go.  We  will 
send  everything  to  -you  at  Geiong,  and  keep  your  secret.  Get  out  of  the 
country  as  soon  as  you  can,  and  don't  return  to  it." 

"  But,  doctor,  I  did  n't  mean  to  throw  off  like  this,  you  know,"  cried  the 
person  who  was  addressed  as  "  my  lord."  "  Of  course  I  can't  marry  her, 
but, it,  you  know,  I  like  her,  and  was  only  having  a  little  fun." 

44  Will  you  go,  my  lord  ?"  cried  the  others  ;  and  they  forced  him  into  the 
vehicle,  and  struck  the  horses,  and  they  were  off  like  a  shot. 

The  two  gentlemen  stood  gazing  after  the  carriage,  until  the  sound  of  the 
horses'  feet  had  died  away.  Then  they  whispered  together  for  a  long  time, 
and  at  length  turned  to  enter  the  club-house.  As  they  did  so,  their  eyes 
fell  upon  my  face,  and  one  of  the  gentlemen  threw  up  his  arms,  and  uttered 
a  loud,  wailing  cry. 

"  My  God  !  "  he  said,  "he  has  come  back  to  death  and  dishonor." 


WILL    YOUR 


LORDSHIP    PROMISE   TO   MAKK    NO    ATTEMPT  TO   ESCAPE?"    ASKED    THE   CHIEF. 


PART  II 

THE   MEETING    IN    FRONT    OF    THE   CLUB-HOUSE.  —  WHO   AM   I,  AND   WHAT 
HAVE     I     DONE  ?  —  A     FRIEND     OF     THE     FAMILY.  —  AN     OLD 
ACQUAINTANCE     ON     THE     POLICE.  —  MISS    KITTY 
AND    THE   DIAMOND   RING.  —  NO    EX- 
PLANATIONS  RECEIVED 
OR  WANTED. 

'T^HE  gentleman  who  accompanied  the  one  who  threw  up  his  arms,  and 
J-    uttered  the  exclamation,  did  not  seem  so  excited  as  his  friend.     He 
merely  removed  the  cigar  from  his  mouth,  and  said  in  a  quiet  way,  — 

"  I  '11  be if  I  'd  insure  your  life,  my  lord,  for  a  premium  of  dollar  for 

dollar,  pound  for  pound.  I  Ve  seen  simpletons,  but  you  beat  my  time.  I 
have  done  the  best  I  could  for  you.  I  can  do  no  more.  What  is  the  use 
when  you  will  not  take  advice  ?  " 


28  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


••  I  was  not  aware  that  you  had  given  any  advice/'  I  remarked,  as  I  light- 
ed a  cigar,  and,  leaning  against  the  iron  lamp-post,  smoked  quite  content- 
edly a  weed  which  I  had  brought  from  San  Francisco,  and,  therefore,  felt 
assured  that  it  was  a  good  one. 

The  gentleman  who  claimed  to  have  advised  me,  shrugged  his  shoulders 
like  a  Frenchman,  and  looked  at  his  ardent  friend,  a  man  old  enough  to  be 
his  father,  and  simply  said,  — 

-  What  more  can  I  do  ?  " 

"  A  great  deal.  You  can  aid  me  in  saving  this  willful  young  gentleman. 
He  is  like  his  father  in  some  respects,  and  in  others  he  is  entirely  different. 
Oh  !  but  I  did  love  his  father,  and  he  loved  me.  We  were  shipmates  at  one 
time,  on  board  the  old  Asia,  a  seventy-four-gun  ship,  of  her  blessed  majes- 
ty's navy.  He  was  the  first  lieutenant,  and  I  was  the  surgeon.  We  were 
at  the  battle  of  Navarino  together,  and  I  stood  by  his  side  when  three  of 
our  ports  were  knocked  into  one  by  a  marble  shot  from  a  battery  of  the  ac- 
cursed Turks.  Thirteen  men  were  killed  by  that  shot,  and  his  lordship 
and  myself  narrowly  escaped  death  at  the  same  time.  He  was  like  a  broth- 
er to  me  the  three  years  we  were  together,  and  now,  after  so  many  years,  I 
can't  desert  the  son  of  the  nobleman  who  was  my  fast  friend,  and  stood  by 
me  when  I  needed  them.  Help  me,  Mattocks,  to  save  him/' 

"  I  "11  be if  I  do  any  more  for  him,"  was  the  bluff  rejoinder,  as  he 

blew  a  cloud  of  smoke  from  his  mouth.  "  You  have  told  your  yarn,  now  let 
me  tell  mine,  and  see  if  I  am  right  in  refusing  to  do  more." 

He  removed  his  cigar  from  his  lips,  took  a  step  nearer  to  me,  so  that  he 
could  have  a  good  look  at  my  face,  and  then  slowly  and  deliberately  said, — 

44  My  lord,  you  must  listen  to  me  for  a  moment." 

"  Drive  on,"  I  remarked.     "  I  am  paying  all  attention  to  you." 

"Three  weeks  ago  you  landed  at  Melbourne." 

"  Did  I  ?"  I  asked,  and  then  added,  in  an  undertone,  "  I  wonder  who  in 
the  deuse  I  am,  anyway  ?  " 

"  Yes,  my  lord,  you  did.  You  brought  letters  of  introduction  to  many 
people.  One  to  me." 

"  Is  it  possible  ?  " 

He  did  not  notice  the  interruption,  but  continued,  — 

-  We  introduced  you  to  the  best  society  in  Melbourne." 

••  Never  mind  all  that,  Mattocks,"  cried  the  surgeon,  whose  name  appear- 
ed to  be  Haverley  Haverley.  "  Of  course  his  lordship  is  accustomed  to  good 
society.  We  do  not  have  many  earls  visit  us  in  Australia,  and  when  they 
come  make  much  of  them." 


The  Kclle  of  Australia.  29 


"  But  I  do  mind,  doctor,  and  I  must  unburden  my  thoughts  in  my  own 
way.  Let  me  proceed.  Your  lordship  is  listening?  " 

'•  Yes:"  but  I  was  wondering  if  I  was  not  half  asleep,  and  dreaming,  for 
the  gentleman  appeared  very  earnest. 

"  I  was  particular  to  make  everything  pleasant  for  you,"  continued  Mr. 
Mattocks.  "  You  were  known  to  be  an  earl,  rich,  young,  and  not  bad-look- 
ing." 

I  bowed  at  the  compliment,  and  smiled  at  the  eager-looking  gentleman, 
who  did  not  appear  to  appreciate  my  politeness. 

"  You  were  well  received  everywhere.  All  the  best  houses  in  the  city 
were  open  to  you." 

"  Especially  the  Hen  and  Chickens,"  I  muttered. 

'•  Imagine  my  surprise  when  I  saw  that  you  were  bound  to  make  the  warm- 
est kind  of  love  to  every  pretty  girl  you  met." 

"  Young  girls  were  born  to  be  made  love  to,"  I  answered.  "  They  like  it, 
you  know.  They  would  feel  offended  if  .we  did  not  flirt  with  them." 

"  Don't  be  too  hard  on  his  lordship,  Mattocks,"  pleaded  the  surgeon,  who 
was  such  a  friend  of  my  father's,  although  I  did  not  believe  that  the  worthy 
old  gentleman  had  ever  heard  of  him,  but,  strange  to  say,  my  father  was  a 
lieutenant  in  the  navy,  but  it  was  the  United-States  Navy,  and  he  had 
served  as  first  lieutenant  on  board  of  a  seventy-four,  but  it  was  the  old 
Ohio,  now  lying  at  the  Charlestown  Navy  Yard,  and  not  the  English  ship 
Asia,  broken  up  for  all  that  I  know. 

"  I  am  not  too  hard  on  his  lordship,"  Mr.  Mattocks  retorted,  turning  to 
his  friend.  "  I  am  speaking  the  truth,  and  even  your  partiality  must  not 
prevent  me  from  saying  all  that  I  feel." 

"  Be  gentle.  Remember  he  has  Scotch  blood  in  his  veins,  and  is  a 
lord." 

"  I  know  that  he  has  Scotch  blood  in  his  veins,  and  that  he  is  an  earl  of 
the  united  kingdom  of  England  and  Scotland.  I  know  that  he  is  worth 
millions  of  pounds,"  Mr.  Mattocks  continued. 

"  Just  one  hundred  sovereigns,"  I  whispered  to  myself.  "  They  must  be 
counting  my  money  by  half-pence." 

"  I  know  that  he  has  a  yearly  income  of  three  hundred  thousand  pounds," 
Mr.  Mattocks  said. 

-  Well,  these  men  are  the  craziest  cranks  that  I  ever  met,"  I  muttered. 
"  .Melbourne  must  be  full  of  them." 

"But,  knowing  all  this,  I  shall  speak  my  mind  freely,"  Mr.  Mattocks 
snarled. 


30  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


"  For  God's  sake  be  quick  about  it,  so  that  we  can  get  his  lordship  out  of 
the  city  before  there  is  much  of  a  stir,"  urged  the  surgeon. 

"  You  may  take  all  the  trouble  yourself  to  get  him  out  of  Melbourne.  I 
have  done  my  duty,  and  that  duty  ended  when  I  helped  him  into  the  car- 
riage that  was  to  take  him  on  his  way  to  Gelong.  If  he  meets  with  disaster 
now  it  will  not  be  my  fault." 

Then  Mr.  Mattocks  turned  to  me,  and  addressed  his  remarks  to  my  sur-l 
prised  ears. 

"  Your  lordship  is  rich,  as  I  have  said.  Your  income  is  enormous ;  but 
all  the  gold  that  you  can  command  would  not  induce  me  to  repeat  the  task 
which  I  have  so  recently  undertaken.  I  have  been  cursed  by  fathers, 
scolded  by  mothers,  and  d— d  by  brothers,  all  on  your  account." 

"  What  have  I  done  that  should  cause  such  a  commotion  ?  "  I  asked,  and 
the  question  did  not  soothe  the  gentleman. 

"  O  my  God  !  He  asks  what  has  he  done ! "  cried  the  excitable  Mr. 
Mattocks,  turning  to  his  friend. 

"  Merely  the  animal  spirits  of  a  young  man,"  said  the  surgeon,  in  a  sooth- 
ing manner. 

"  Animal  damnation  !  "  roared  the  gentleman.  "  Has  n't  he  made  love  to 
more  than  a  dozen  of  the  handsomest  girls  in  Melbourne  ?  " 

The  surgeon  nodded,  and  tried  to  seem  sad  ;  and  then  he  sighed,  and  look- 
ed me  full  in  the  face  to  see  if  I  was  conscience-stricken.  But  I  was  not 
suffering  much  just  at  that  moment. 

"  Has  n't  he  praised  them,  and  complimented  them,  kissed  them  when  he 
had  a  chance,  and  gave  all  the  fond  hope  of  being  a  countess,  as  the  wife  of 
the  Earl  of  Afton  ?  "  demanded  Mr.  Mattocks. 

So  I  was  the  Earl  of  Afton,  was  I  ?  I  was  glad  to  know  who  I  was  after 
all  this  talk  and  bluster. 

"  You,  Haverley,  know  how  the  girls  run  after  him,  and  how  he  run  after 
the  girls." 

"  All  young  people  do  the  same  thing,"  said  the  surgeon  soothingly. 

This  surgeon  appeared  to  be  a  wise  man. 

"  Yes ;  but  all  gentlemen  would  not  have  done  what  his  lordship  has. 
You  know  what  he  is  suspected  of  doing  as  well  as  myself.  Was  it  fair  to 
lead  a  young  lady  along,  to  pay  her  compliments,  and  make  her  promises, 
and  then  laugh  at  her  prayers  for  lawful  justice  ?  " 

"  It  would  be  wrong  for  any  man  to  do  so,"  I  remarked,  in  a  calm  and 
collected  manner.  "  I  am  not  guilty  of  the  charge." 

"  Then  report  lies.     We  only  know  of  one  case  at  the  present  moment," 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  31 

said  Mr.  Mattocks.  "  We  shall  hear  of  more  in  the  course  of  time,  I  dare 
say." 

"  Heaven  forbid  !  "  I  ejaculated. 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  that  you  feel  some  of  the  shame  which  scandal  has 
whispered  in  this  city,  while  you  have  been  here.  But  now  I  come  to  the 
meanest  part  of  your  career." 

"  What  ? "  I  asked,  "  do  you  intend  to  tell  me  that  there  is  more  to 
come  ?  " 

Mr.  Mattocks  looked  at  me  with  as  much  contempt  as  a  genuine  British 
merchant  dares  to  bestow  on  one  of  the  nobility. 

"  Yes,  my  lord,  there  is  more  to  come." 

"  Then  be  quick  about  it,  for  I  am  on  my  way  to  the  theatre,  and  fear  I 
shall  be  late." 

At  these  words  both  men  started  back  with  perfect  bewilderment  stamped 
on  their  faces,  as  though  they  had  not  heard  aright. 

"  You  go  to  the  theatre  ?  "  they  gasped.     "  Do  you  mean  it  ?  " 

"  Yes.     I  have  a  ticket  and  secured  seat  in  my  pocket." 

"  And  you  will  go  without  the  Belle  of  Australia  in  your  company  ?  "  they 
demanded. 

"  Yes.  What  is  the  Belle  of  Australia  to  me  ?  She  cares  no  more  for 
me  than  I  do  for  her." 

"  My  lord,  my  lord,"  cried  the  surgeon,  "the  people  would  tear  you  limb 
from  limb  if  you  dared  to  do  such  an  outrageous  act." 

"  Why  should  the  people  treat  me  in  that  manner  ?  I  have  done  nothing 
to  deserve  it." 

"  One  word,  and  I  'm  done  with  such  a  sang-froid  young  man,"  cried  Mr. 
Mattocks,  dashing  his  cigar  to  the  pavement,  and  kicking  it  into  the  gutter, 
with  an  imprecation  that  was  not  polite.  "  Listen  to  me  for  a  moment. 
Give  me  a  chance  to  speak,  or  I  shall  burst  with  rage,"  the  younger  gentle- 
man continued,  gaspingly. 

"  Good  Heavens,  man,  I  have  n't  prevented  you  from  talking.  In  fact, 
I  have  n't  been  able  to  get  my  oar  in  edgewise  since  you  commenced  the 
conversation." 

"  Patience,  Mattocks,"  said  the  surgeon.  "  His  lordship  is  considerate, 
I  'm  sure." 

" his  lordship !  "  roared  the  excited  man.  "  I  wish  that  I  had  never 

seen  him.  But  he  shall  hear  me,  and  hear  me  now,  in  spite  of  his  attempts 
to  put  me  off.  Listen  to  me  if  you  can." 

"  I  am  listening.     Fire  away,"  I  said. 


32  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  You  have  made  love  to  a  dozen  or  two  young  ladies  of  Melbourne,"  Mr. 
Mattocks  cried. 

"  A  few  moments  ago  you  said  the  number  was  twelve.  But  the  more 
the  better,  if  they  are  all  pretty,"  I  answered.  "  A  man  can't  have  too  much 
of  a  good  thing,  and  I  'm  sure  a  pretty  girl  is  one  of  the  best  things  of  this 
world.  Lord !  I  love  them  all,  the  fat  and  the  lean,  the  rich  and  the  poor, 
the  blonde  and  the  brunette,  the  dark  haired  and  the  golden,  the  blue-eyed 
and  those  with  dark,  gazel-like  optics.  All  are  alike  to  me." 

"  I  believe  you,"  Mr.  Mattocks  sneered.  "  Your  career  in  Melbourne 
has  shown  it  from  the  first  night  that  you  arrived,  when  you  kissed  Colonel 
Cracker's  daughter  in  less  than  an  hour  after  an  introduction." 

"  Well,  if  the  lady  did  not  object,  whose  business  is  it  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  None  of  mine,  but  if  you  should  happen  to  meet  the  colonel  tonight  he 
might  horsewhip  you,"  Mr.  Mattocks  said. 

"  That  is  hard.     The  daughter  would  not  like  that,"  I  remarked. 

"  My  lord,"  cried  Mr.  Mattocks,  "  do  you  not  know  that  the  lady  now  hates 
you  with  an  undying  hatred  ?  " 

"  For  what  reason  ?  "  I  asked. 

"You  know  the  reason.     Did  you  not  tell  her  that  you  loved  her?  " 

"  I  don't  recollect  of  doing  so." 

The  excitable  crank  expressed  his  disgust  with  an  emphatic  gesture,  and 
continued,  — 

"Then  you  heard  of  Miss  Florence  Kebblewhite,  the  Belle  of  Australia." 

"  Santissimo  !  what  a  funny  name.  Florence  is  pretty  though.  I  like 
that.  But  Kebblewhite  !  Who  would  marry  a  Kebblewhite  ?  Could  n't 
the  legislature  or  the  city  council  change  it  ?  " 

Only  a  smile  of  contempt  from  the  younger  crank. 

"You  would  have  an  introduction.  I  introduced  you.  You  made 
love  to  her,"  the  young  man  continued. 

"  Naturally.     Did  n't  you  say  that  she  was  pretty  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  She  was  cold  to  you,  and  did  not  like  your  forward,  impertinent  man- 
ner," Mr.  Mattocks  remarked. 

"  All  put  on,  Mattocks.  She  was  bound  to  catch  me,  and  so  played  the 
proprieties,  thinking  that  I  would  bite  the  hook  a  little  harder  and  quicker. 
Girls  know  how  to  do  those  things.  The  fact  of  it  is,  Mattocks,  you  don't 
understand  woman's  nature.  Now  I  do,"  I  said,  with  provoking  coolness, 
for  I  meant  to  let  these  gentlemen  see  that,  if  they  were  playing  a  neat  little 
game  on  a  stranger,  he  could  equal  them,  and,  at  the  proper  time,  turn  the 
laugh  against  them. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  33 


Another  gesture  of  disgust,  and  the  crank  continued,  — 

"  At  last  you  swore  that  you  loved  her  better  than  all  the  world,  and 
would  make  her  your  \vife,  and  a  countess,  at  the  same  time.  Her  father 
pressed  the  lady  to  accept  you,  and  she  did,  only  after  careful  considera- 
tion." 

"  Bosh,  Mattocks.  Don't  lay  it  all  on  the  old  man.  You  know  the  lady 
wanted  to  be  a  countess  all  the  time.  Give  the  old  gentleman  a  fair  show. 
He  has  enough  to  answer  for  without  that  charge." 

"The  wedding  day  was  appointed,  and  you  were  to  be  all  ready.  It  was 
to  be  a  private  marriage,  only  the  friends  of  the  family  present.  The  an,, 
nouncement  nearly  broke  my  heart ;  "  and  Mr.  Mattocks  almost  sobbed. 

"  Ah,  Mattocks,  this  is  all  news  to  me.  You  love  the  lady,  it  seems,"  I 
said,  quite  tenderly. 

"  I  did  love  her,  and  should  have  won  her,  if  you  had  not  put  in  an  ap- 
pearance." 

"  And  now  you  want  me  to  leave  the  city  so  that  you  can  have  a  clear 
field?"  I  asked. 

"  No,  a  thousand  times  no.  She  is  lost  to  me  forever.  Had  you  but  ad- 
hered to  your  word,  — had  you  married  her,  —  I  should  have  been  content. 
But  you  did  not.  You  did  not  put  in  an  appearance,  and  basely  said  that 
you  had  no  idea  of  marriage.  It  may  have  been  fun  for  you,  but  it  is  death 
to  the  lady.  You  came  to  the  club  this  evening  in  your  dress-suit,  and  said 
that  your  mother,  the  dowager  countess,  would  never  forgive  you  if  you 
made  a  mesalliance.  You  asked  us  to  help  you  out  of  the  bad  position  in 
which  you  were  placed.  I  despised  you,  but,  at  the  entreaties  of  my  friend, 
and  your  father's  friend,  Doctor  Haverley  Haverley,  I  consented  to  aid  you. 
I  have  done  my  duty ;  and  now,  my  lord,  if  tomorrow  you  are  riddled,  like  a 
sieve,  with  bullets,  at  the  hands  of  the  lady's  friends,  do  not  blame  me. 
Your  life  is  not  worth  an  insurance,  even  in  a  grave-yard  office.  Farewell, 
my  lord,  for  we  shall  never  meet  again  as  friends." 

He  raised  his  hat,  and  bowed,  and  was  turning  away,  when  I  said,  — 

<;  One  moment,  Mr.  Mattocks.     Who  do  you  think  I  am  ?  " 

"  Angus  Mornington,  Earl  of  Afton,  Baron  Midlothian,  and  half  a  doz- 
en other  titles.  Good-night." 

Heavens  !  the  man  had  pronounced  my  full  name,  for  I  was  Angus  Morn- 
ington. But  I  was  not  an  earl  or  an  Englishman,  but  an  American,  and  a 
native  of  New  England.  Surprise  rendered  me  speechless.  Who  was  J  ? 
and  did  I  bear  such  a  close  resemblance  to  some  person,  that  I  was  mis- 
taken for  him  ?  Or  were  these  gentlemen  merely  having  a  little  fun  at  my 

2 


34  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

expense,  such  as  is  often  practiced  in  Boston  and  New  York,  when  a  for- 
eigner is  green  and  fresh  to  our  practical  jokes  ? 

The  last  suggestion  I  considered  the  proper  one ;  but  how  could  these 
people  have  learned  my  name  ?  I  had  not  registered  it  at  the  Hen  and 
Chickens,  and  only  given  it  at  the  Oriental  Bank  when  I  "deposited  my  lit- 
tle fortune. 

"  There  is  where  they  learned  it,"  I  thought,  and  made  a  firm  resolution 
not  to  be  frightened  out  of  the  city  by  the  loud  talk  of  two  strange  gentle- 
men, who  would  laugh  at  the  joke  in  the  club  house,  as  soon  as  I  departed 
from  Melbourne,  in  hot  haste,  to  escape  danger. 

"  You  see,  my  lord,"  said  the  elderly  doctor,  "  what  your  imprudence  has 
brought  upon  your  head.  You  have  lost  a  good  friend,  and  now  I  am  alone, 
and  doubt  if  even  I  can  save  you  from  the  vengeance  of  the  lady's  friends." 

"  Doctor,"  I  replied,  lighting  a  fresh  cigar,  "  has  n't  this  joke  gone  far 
enough  ? " 

"  A  joke,  my  lord  ?  " 

"  Yes,  a  joke.     You  see  that  I  do  not  scare  worth  a  cent." 

"  I  know  that  you  have  your  father's  courage  and  imprudence,  but  you 
have  not  his  great  sense  and  good  judgment,  if  you  think  this  is  a  joke. 
But  come  with  me,  and  I  will  find  a  refuge  for  you  until  this  unfortunate  af- 
fair has  blown  over.  It  will  be  no  joke  to  me,  and  to  you,  if  you  are  seen  in 
the  city  tomorrow,  let  me  tell  you." 

"  I  will  run  all  the  risks.  Do  not  be  anxious  about  me.  I  can  take  care 
of  myself.  I  shall  be  armed,  and  the  man  who  lays  a  hand  on  me  in  anger, 
will  repent  it,"  I  said  boldly. 

My  French  and  Yankee  blood  began  to  assert  itself,  as  I  thought  of  the 
trick  which  was  being  played  on  me. 

"  O  Angus,  Angus,"  pleaded  the  old  gentleman,  "  do  be  advised  by  me. 
When  your  lady  mother  wrote  to  me  that  you  would  visit  Australia,  and 
begged  me  to  keep  a  watchful  eye  on  you,  I  promised  her  that  I  would  do 
so.  I  protested  against  your  engagement  to  Miss  Kebblewhite,  you  re- 
member, for  I  knew  that  the  countess  would  not  approve  of  her  father,  and 
his  antecedents,  but  you  would  not  listen  to  me.  You  pretended  to  be  in 
love  with  the  lady,  and  would  win  her.  You  did  win  her,  and  were  to  wed 
her  thus  very  afternoon.  At  the  last  moment  you  changed  your  mind.  You 
had  seen  another  fair  face  that  attracted  you  more  than  the  Belle  of  Austra- 
lia. At  least,  this  is  the  only  supposition  that  I  can  entertain  at  the  present 
time.  Do  you  love  another  more  than  Miss  Kebblewhite  ?  Answer  me 
without  the  least  hesitation." 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  35 

"  No,  to  tell  the  honest  truth,  I  am  not  in  love  with  any  one,  and  never 
have  been,"  I  answered. 

"  My  God  !  how  like  his  father,"  exclaimed  the  doctor,  with  a  gasp. 
"  From  one  fresh  face  to  another,  all  through  his  life." 

"  Was  my  father  fond  of  pretty  faces  ?  "  I  asked  in  a  bantering  tone,  for, 
in  truth,  I  had  heard  that  my  respected  parent  was  a  little  wild  in  his  youth, 
but  then  he  was  a  naval  officer,  and  gentlemen  of  that  class  are  not  saints 
in  foreign  ports,  where  dark  eyes  and  hair  predominate. 

"  You  are  like  him  in  every  respect  except  one,  my  lord." 

"  And  that  one  ?  " 

"  Is  honor,  my  lord." 

The  doctor  spoke  in  slow,  severe  tones,  and  I  had  no  doubt  that  he  was 
firm  in  his  belief.  I  was  not  in  the  least  offended.  « 

"The  Earl  of  Afton,  your  father,  would  not  have  pledged  his  hand,  and 
then  forfeited  his  word.  He  was  too  much  of  a  gentleman  for  that.  You 
will  pardon  my  plain  speaking,  will  you  not  ?  " 

"  Certainly.     But  let  me  make  one  suggestion,  doctor." 

"  Yes,  a  dozen,  if  you  desire,  my  lord." 

"  The  Earl  of  Afton  would  not  have  scrupled  to  deceive  a  lady  if  he  had 
not  pledged  his  hand?  " 

"  It  ill  becomes  a  son  to  blacken  his  father's  memory,  my  lord." 

"  Answer  the  question,  doctor.  Do  not  luff  up  into  the  wind  like  that. 
Steer  a  straight  course  when  the  channel  is  wide.'' 

"  My  lord,  I  decline  to  answer  the  question,"  said  the  doctor,  with  a  slight 
gasp,  as  though  I  had  him  at  a  disadvantage. 

"Very  well.     One  more  question,  if  you  please.     Will  you  answer  it  ?  " 

"  Perhaps.     Let  me  hear  it,  my  lord." 

"Would  the  old  Earl  of  Afton  have  married  Miss  Kebblewhite  had  he 
been  in  my  place  ?  " 

"  No,  you  know  he  would  not.  He  never  would  have  disgraced  his  fami- 
ly by  such  a  mesalliance.  The  idea  of  the  Earl  of  Afton  contracting  a  mar- 
riage with  a  lady  whose  father  was  a  "  — 

He  stopped  short,  and  bit  his  lips,  and  looked  a  little  confused. 

"  Go  on,"  I  said,  for  I  saw  that  he  held  back  some  important  information. 

"  No,  my  lord,  I  will  not  go  on.  It  is  clear  to  my  mind  that  you  have 
suddenly  learned  something  of  the  past  life  of  the  lady's  father,  and  that 
your  proud  blood  will  not  permit  you  to  wed  one  who  would  only  dishonor 
the  long  line  of  distinguished  ancestors  which  your  house  can  boast  of. 
Xo.  my  lord,  I  shall  say  no  more." 


36  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  But  you  must.  You  have  already  said  much,  and  it  is  better  to  say 
more.  Continue." 

"  Tell  me  then,"  the  doctor  cried,  as  he  seized  my  hand,  and  pressed  it 
warmly,  "you  decline  the  marriage  because  you  fear  to  contaminate  the  no- 
ble blood  of  the  house  of  Afton  ? " 

I  looked  as  dignified  as  possible,  and  withdrew  my  hand  from  his  grasp. 
It  would  not  do  for  a  real  earl  to  shake  hands  in  too  familiar  a  manner  with 
a  plebeian  surgeon. 

"  If  such  is  the  case,  if  you  have  heard  the  truth,  —  and  I  swear  to  you, 
my  lord,  that  I  did  not  learn  of  it  until  this  very  day,  — then  I  forgive  you 
for  the  course  you  have  pursued.  But  you  will  break  the  heart  of  the  love- 
liest girl  in  Australia.  Even  she  does  not  know  of  her  father's  previous  un- 
fortunate life." 

"  Oh,  let  us  hope  that  she  will  recover.  Girls  mope  for  a  while,  and  then 
look  for  another  lover.  Miss  Kebblewhite  will  prove  no  exception  to  the 
general  rule." 

"  You  misjudge  her,"  the  doctor  said.  "  She  is  the  most  ambitious  girl 
in  Melbourne.  Mattocks  would  have  married  her  a  year  ago  if  she  would 
have  had  him,  and  I  tell  you  he  is  a  great  catch,  rich  and  young,  and  not 
bad-looking." 

"  Then  you  will  not  tell  me  about  the  stain  on  Mr.  Kebblewhite's  past 
life  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  No,  my  lord,  for  you  already  know  it,  and  I  am  not  a  retailer  of  scandal. 
But  come  with  me,  and  let  us  seek  a  place  of  safety.  In  a  week's  time  I 
can  get  you  out  of  the  city.  I  know  a  house  where  you  can  keep  quiet  until 
the  storm  blows  over.  Come,  my  lord.  I  do  not  blame  you  as  much  as 
when  I  first  met  you  this  evening.  But,  in  Heaven's  name,  let  the  girls 
alone  in  future.  They  will  be  your  ruin,  as  they  have  been  the  ruin  of  many 
older  and  better  men." 

Just  as  he  uttered  these  words  a  servant  of  the  club  house  came  down 
the  steps  as  though  he  was  in  a  desperate  hurry.  Seeing  the  doctor,  the 
domestic  ran  toward  him,  and  said,  — 

"  O  Doctor  Haverley,  one  of  the  members  of  the  club  has  a  fit,  and  is 
black  in  the  face.  I  was  sent  to  find  you.  Do  come  at  once,  or  the  poor 
gentleman  will  die." 

"  Here,  my  lord,"  cried  the  doctor,  "get  under  the  shadow  of  the  wall  of 
the  building,  and  wait  for  me  until  I  return.  I  will  not  be  gone  long.  Do 
not  venture  to  enter  the  house.  If  that  old  Frenchman  should  find  you 
there  he  would  kill  you.  Keep  your  face  covered  up,  and  attract  no  atten 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  3; 

tion.  Your  safety  must  be  assured  at  all  hazards.  Don't  stir  from  here  un- 
til I  return.  Promise  me  that." 

He  did  not  wait  for  a  response,  but  ran  up  the  steps,  and  then  I  heard  the 
nearest  clock  strike  eight,  and  the  curtain  of  the  theatre  was  to  rise  at  that 
hour. 

"  Well,"  I  said  to  myself,  "if  I  am  to  see  the  play  I  had  better  be  moving. 
I  think  that  I  have  heard  enough  of  the  Earl  of  Afton,  and  the  Belle  of 
Australia,  for  one  night.  Good-by,  doctor,  I  'm  off,"  and  walked  in  the  di- 
rection where  I  supposed  the  Royal  Victoria  was  situated.  I  was  not  ex- 
actly certain  as  to  the  street,  but  I  remembered  that  I  turned  out  of  Collins 
Street  into  Russell  Street,  and  then,  not  knowing  just  where  to  go,  stopped 
under  a  gaslight,  and  waited  until  some  one  should  come  along  who  could 
give  me  the  desired  information.  In  a  few  minutes  a  stout,  active,  soldier- 
ly-looking man,  with  a  dark  face,  and  close-cropped  hair,  a  person  who  look- 
ed to  the  right  and  to  the  left  as  he  walked,  who  seemed  to  see  everything 
and  every  one  who  passed,  as  if  by  intuition,  came  along  with  a  quick  step, 
and,  just  as  I  was  about  to  speak  to  him,  he  stopped  in  front  of  me,  and  fix- 
ed his  snapping  black  eyes  on  my  face.  Then,  without  speaking,  he  raised 
a  little  ivory  whistle  to  his  lips,  and  blew  three  distinct  blasts.  I  heard 
them  answered  up  the  street,  down  the  street,  and  around  the  corner  in 
Collins  Street,  but,  as  the  whistling  did  not  concern  me,  I  paid  no  attention 
to  it.  The  man  with  the  black  eyes,  and  a  cap  on  his  head,  that  looked  like 
those  which  soldiers  wear  when  on  fatigue  duty,  for  it  was  cocked  on  one 
side  of  his  head,  in  a  rakish  style,  stared  at  me  in  a  bold,  yet  respectful  man- 
ner, until  at  last  1  lost  a  little  of  my  usual  patience,  and  said,  — 

"  Well,  my  man,  you  will  be  certain  to  know  me  the  next  time." 

"  I  know  you  now,  and  shall  always  recognize  you  wherever  we  meet.  I 
am  one  who  does  not  forget  a  face,  no  matter  how  much  it  may  be  changed," 
was  the  black-eyed  man's  answer. 

"A  precious  gift,"  I  replied;  "and  now  will  you  do  me  the  favor 
to  direct  me  to  the  Royal  Victoria  Theatre  ?  I  fear  that  I  shall  be  late  for 
the  first  of  the  performance,  as  I  have  missed  my  way." 

"  I  could  direct  you  to  the  theatre,  but  it  would  be  useless,"  the  stranger 
said,  in  a  short,  abrupt  manner. 

"  Why  useless  ?  The  doors  are  open,  and  I  was  told  that  there  was  to  be 
a  remarkably  good  performance  tonight." 

"  Because,  my  lord,  instead  of  visiting  a  theatre  this  evening,  you  are  go- 
ing with  me,"  and  the  dark  man  smiled  grimly. 

"  How  ?     What  do  you  mean  ?  "  I  asked. 


38  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  Just  what  I  say,  my  lord.  You  are  going  with  me,"  and  the  man's  eyes 
snapped  ominously. 

"  And  who  in  the  devil's  name  are  you  ?  "  I  asked  indignantly. 

He  turned  back  the  lappel  of  his  vest,  and  there  I  noticed  a  large  gold 
badge,  studded  with  diamonds,  an  elegant  and  costly  jewel  as  I  ever  saw  be- 
fore or  since. 

"  Well,  sir,  and  what  does  that  signify  to  me  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Simply  that  I  am  the  Chief  of  the  Melbourne  police." 

"  And  how  does  that  concern  me  ?  I  have  committed  no  crime,"  but  just 
then  I  happened  to  think  of  the  diamonds  in  my  bosom,  and  the  gold  cas- 
ket, and  my  spine  began  to  grow  cold,  and  my  blood  to  tingle. 

"  Crime  !  "  ejaculated  the  Chief.  "  Humph  !  that  depends  upon  the  light 
in  which  men  view  it." 

"Well,  name  mine,  if  you  please.  If  I  am  to  accompany  you,  at  least  let 
me  know  on  what  charge,"  I  said  quite  boldly. 

"  Will  you  remove  your  hat  for  a  moment  ?  "  the  Chief  asked. 

"  Certainly,"  and  did  as  requested. 

The  sharp-eyed  man  gave  me  a  glance,  and  then  removed  his  cap,  and 
stood  before  me  bare-headed,  with  every  mark  of  respect  on  his  stern, 
strong  face. 

"  My  lord,"  he  said,  "you  will  pardon  me  for  doing  what  is  strictly  my 
duty." 

"  Oh,  botheration  !  "  I  cried,  in  a  fury.  "  Here  is  another  crank.  There 
are  more  cranks  to  the  square  acre  in  Melbourne  than  any  place  that  I  was 
ever  in." 

The  Chief  did  not  appear  to  notice  my  burst  of  rage.  He  seemed  to  have 
expected  it,  for,  still  standing  before  me  uncovered,  remarked,  — 

"  I  would  have  spared  you  this  humiliation,  my  lord,  had  it  been  possible, 
but  I  had  my  orders  to  look  for  you,  to  find  you,  and  detain  you." 

I  glanced  over  my  shoulder  to  see  if  I  had  better  bolt  for  it,  but  the 
Chief  seemed  to  divine  my  thoughts.  He  simply  said  in  a  calm  tone,  — 

"  It  is  useless,  my  lord.     Do  not  attempt  it." 

He  waved  his  hand,  and  then  I  saw  two  police  officers  standing  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  street,  and  two  more  on  each  side  of  me,  not  six  feet 
distant,  alert,  and  quite  strong  enough  to  contend  with  a  youth  like  me. 
They  did  not  advance,  but  appeared  immovable  as  statues,  waiting  for  orders. 

"  Promise  me  one  thing,  my  lord,"  the  Chief  said. 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  I  asked,  a  little  sullenly,  for  this  thing  was  growing  mo- 
notonous. 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


"  Pledge  your  word  as  a  nobleman  that  you  will  make  no  attempt  to 
escape." 

"  And  I  can't  go  to  the  theatre  ?  "  I  demanded. 

"  No,  my  lord,  that  would  not  be  safe  for  your  lordship.  The  people 
would  be  enraged  at  the  sight  of  you,  without  the  Belle  of  Australia  by  your 
side." 

"  Confound  the  Belle  of  Australia  ! "  I  cried.  "  I  am  tired  of  hearing  her 
name." 

"  That  is  a  matter  that  does  not  concern  me.  Your  lordship  should  have 
thought  of  that  before  you  promised  to  marry  her." 

"  I  have  made  no  such  promise.  I  don't  know  the  lady.  I  don't  want  to 
know  her.  I  'm  no  lord.  I  am  an  American  citizen,  and  won't  be  imposed 
upon." 

The  dark-eyed  man  smiled  in  a  peculiarly  exasperating  manner,  as  he 
said,  — 

"  My  lord,  when  I  have  seen  a  face  once  1  never  forget  it.  I  have  seen 
yours  a  dozen  times  before  tonight.  Once  at  a  reception  of  the  lieutenant- 
governor's.  Your  evasions  will  not  suffice  with  me.  I  should  know  you 
even  in  the  bush,  twenty  years  hence.  There  is  no  mistake.  You  are  the 
Earl  of  Afton  just  as  much  as  I  am  Chief-of-Police  Murden." 

"  Murden,  Murden,"  I  cried,  "it  seems  to  me  that  I  have  heard  that  name 
before." 

"It  is  pretty  well  known  in  Australia,"  answered  the  Chief.  "  I  have 
been  on  the  force  for  twenty-five  years,  and  some  Americans  have  been 
pleased  to  mention  my  name  in  a  couple  of  books  published  about  this 
country.  I  will  confess,  however,  that  they  have  exaggerated  my  services 
in  more  ways  than  one." 

"  Name  the  books,"  I  said.  "  Let  me  see  if  you  are  the  Murden  of  my 
romances  and  dreams." 

••Well,  my  lord,  if  you  press  me  I  will  say  that  "The ," 

and  "  The ,"  are  the  works  I  allude  to.  But  I  did  not  suppose 

that  you  had  ever  seen  them."' 

"  Indeed  I  have,  and  am  glad  to  meet  with  such  a  good  representative  of 
an  Australian  policeman.  I  would  like  to  talk  with  you  further  on  the 
subject." 

"  Not  tonight,  my  lord.  We  have  too  much  business  on  hand.  Some 
other  time  I  '11  spin  a  few  yarns  for  your  entertainment.  And  now  will 
your  lordship  promise  me  to  make  no  attempt  to  escape  ?  " 

"  Willingly,  for  I  suppose  it  would  be  of  no  use,"  I  answered :  and  the 


40  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

Chief  smiled,  as  he  put  on  his  cap,  a  little  more  rakish  than  before,  and  then 
looked  very  serious. 

"  Not  of  the  slightest  use,  your  lordship.  Six  men  have  their  eyes  on 
you,  and  will  continue  to  watch  you  until  I  give  the  signal  for  a  retreat,  or  a 
let  up." 

"  Then  make  the  signal.     I  have  given  my  promise." 

The  Chief  raised  his  hand,  and  the  policemen  seemed  to  slink  out  of 
sight  as  rapidly  as  they  had  appeared  on  the  scene. 

"  Now  what  would  happen  if  I  should  make  a  bolt  for  it  ?  "   I  asked. 

"You  could  not  run  ten  rods  without  falling  into  the  hands  of  my  officers. 
Does  your  lordship  think  that  I  am  a  fool  to  put  implicit  trust  in  any  man  ? 
I  am  not  to  be  caught  by  young  birds,  or  old  ones.  See  here." 

He  put  the  whistle  to  his  lips,  and  blew  a  slight  blast,  and  in  an  instant 
two  officers  were  at  my  side,  and  another  in  the  rear,  while  echoing  whistles 
were  heard  all  along  the  street. 

"  I  am  satisfied,"  I  said. 

"  People  generally  are  when  they  can't  help  themselves,"  and  the  Chief 
smiled  a  confident,  self-satisfied  smile,  as  though  he  had  the  power  in  his 
hands,  and  was  determined  to  make  it  felt. 

"  Do  you  renew  your  promise,  my  lord,  that  you  will  make  no  attempt  to 
escape  ? " 

"  Willingly,  for  I  see  that  it  is  useless." 

"  I  think  your  lordship  is  a  gentleman  who  will  keep  his  word  in  some  re- 
spects, but,  after  the  experiences  of  the  other  night,  it  is  well  to  be  cautious, 
and  be  on  my  guard." 

u  What  of  the  other  night,  Mr.  Chief  ?     Please  explain." 

"  I  know  your  lordship  was  a  little  over  the  bay,  if  I  may  so  express  my- 
self, but  that  was  no  reason  why  you  and  others  should  pelt  one  of  my  men 
with  eggs,  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morning.  It  may  be  fun  for  you,  and  Eng- 
lish ways,  but  it  is  not  Australian  customs." 

"  Good  heavens,  Mr.  Chief,  you  have  made  a  mistake,"  I  said.  "  I  did 
nothing  of  the  kind." 

The  Chief  smiled  quite  amiably. 

"  Smithers,"  he  cried,  "  come  here." 

The  man  on  my  right  promptly  stepped  forward,  and  made  a  military  sa- 
lute, and  then  awaited  orders. 

"  Smithers,  do  you  recognize  this  gentleman  ?  " 

"  Yes,  yer  'onor.  'E  's  one  of  the  bloods  vot  pelted  me  vid  heggs  the 
huther  night,  vile  I  vos  on  my  beat." 


"The  Belle  of  Australia. 


"  You  are  sure  this  is  the  gentleman  ?     Look  at  him  attentively." 

"  Cock  sure,  yer  'onor.  I  'd  know  'im  among  a  thousand,  and  swear  to 
Mm  on  a  stack  of  Bibles  as  big  as  the  station-'ouse.  Beside,  'e  hoffered  to 
fight  me  for  a  sovereign." 

My  namesake  appeared  to  have  made  things  lively  in  Melbourne,  and, 
confound  him  !  I  had  to  endure  the  disgrace,  and  did  not  have  any  of  the 
fun. 

"  You  hear,  my  lord,"  the  Chief  said. 

"  I  am  afraid  that  I  do.  I  have  met  another  crank,  it  seems.  Have  you 
any  more  of  the  same  species  ?  If  you  have,  bring  them  on,  and  let  us  hear 
them  all  at  once." 

u  I  does  n't  bear  the  swell  any  ill  vill,"  the  officer  cried,  with  a  good-na- 
tured grin.  "  I  grabs  Mm,  yer  know,  ven  he  hoffers  to  fight  me,  and  jerks 
Mm  to  the  station-'ouse  in  double-quick  time,  and  all  Ms  friends  did  n't 
get  Mm  away  from  me,  neither.  I  'its  two  or  three  of  'em  vid  my  club,  and 
the  rest  jist  dropped  their  little  game,  and  left.  But  this  swell  comes  donn 
'andsome,  and  the  inspector  lets  him  hoff,  'cos  some  of  the  big  bloods  of 
the  city  puts  in  a  plea  for  Mm.  Oh,  'e  is  a  trump,  'e  is." 

"  How  much  did  he  give  you  for  soiling  your  uniform  ?  "  asked  the  Chief. 

"  Fifty  pun,  yer  'onor,  and  a  big  lush  of  beer  for  all  in  the  'ouse  ;  and  'e 
drinks  vid  us,  and  sings  some  pretty  lively  songs,  and  raises  the  devil  gin- 
erally,  and  at  last  the  inspector  sent  Mm  to  Ms  'ome  in  a  'ansom,  vid  a  man  to 
take  care  of  Mm  till  'e  vos  sober.  Oh,  'e  is  von  of  'em,  yer  'onor,  but  he  is 
as  liberal  as  a  prince." 

This  was  all  news  to  me,  and  I  saw  that  it  was  quite  useless  to  deny  that 
I  had  created  a  riot  in  the  street.*,  got  drunk,  offered  to  fight  a  policeman, 
sang  songs,  and  raised  a  first-class  commotion.  I  sighed  as  I  thought  of 
all  these  things,  and  wondered  if  I  should  ever  awaken  from  what  I  thought 
must  be  a  troubled  dream. 

"  That  is  all,  Smithers.     Fall  back,"  the  Chief  ordered. 

The  officer  saluted,  and  retired,  but  he  grinned  at  me  as  though  he  would 
like  to  have  another  egging  match,  and  a  fifty-pound  note  for  damages. 

"  Your  lordship  sees  that  you  have  made  quite  a  sensation  in  Melbourne 
during  the  short  time  that  you  have  been  here,"  Mr.  Murden  remarked. 

"  Yes  ;  but  still  I  am  not  a  lord.  You  will  not  believe  me,  and  I  am  tired 
of  denials." 

The  Chief  smiled,  and  his  black  eyes  glittered  as  he  put  his  hand  in  his 
pocket,  and  drew  out  a  diamond  ring. 

"  Does  your  lordship  recognize  this  jewel  ?  " 


42  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

He  handed  to  me  for  examination  a  magnificent  solitaire  diamond  ring. 
My  blood  began  to  congeal  again,  as  I  thought  of  the  diamonds  concealed 
in  my  bosom.  I  gave  the  jewel  a  hasty  glance,  and  simply  answered,  — 

"  I  have  no  recollection  of  ever  seeing  it  before." 

"  Be  careful,  my  lord,"  the  Chief  said,  in  a  tone  that  sounded  threatening. 
"  Look  again.  Make  no  mistake." 

Once  more  I  examined  the  ring,  and  saw  that  it  was  a  brilliant  of  the  first 
water,  and  at  least  four  carats  in  weight,  and  must  have  cost  a  large  sum  of 
money. 

I  knew  that  there  was  some  trap  in  the  question  the  Chief  was  putting 
to  me,  but  I  could  not  for  the  li-fe  of  me  see  how  I  was  to  avoid  falling  into 
it.  He  held  the  thread,  and  I  was  groping  in  the  dark. 

"  Well,  my  lord?  "  the  Chief  asked,  after  a  long  pause,  still  watching  my 
face  attentively. 

"  I  know  not  what  to  say,"  I  answered. 

"Then  say  nothing,  for  all  that  you  utter  might  be  used  against  you  some 
time  or  other." 

"  How?  Do  you  mean  to  intimate  that  I  stole  this  valuable  jewel?  "  all 
my  blood  boiling  at  the  unjust  suggestion. 

"  Stole  is  a  harsh  expression,  my  lord.  I  make  no  such  charges.  You 
know  how  you  came  in  possession  of  this  jewel,  and  you  also  know  how  it 
left  your  custody." 

"  I  swear  to  you  that "  —  I  stammered. 

The  Chief  shrugged  his  shoulders,  and  gave  me  a  look  that  stopped  my 
torrent  of  denials. 

"  My  lord,"  he  said  in  a  voice  that  was  meant  to  be  firm,  and  to  show  that 
he  was  not  trifling,  "do  not  try  to  convince  me  that  ever  since  you  arrived 
in  Melbourne  you  have  been  in  a  state  of  intoxication,  and,  therefore,  un- 
able to  distinguish  between  right  and  wrong." 

"  I  was  never  drunk  in  my  life,  sir,"  I  responded,  as  proudly  as  my  nature 
would  permit  under  the  circumstances. 

"  Then,  in  the  name  of  all  the  saints,  how  do  you  explain  about  this 
ring?" 

"  I  can't  explain.     Will  you  do  so?  "  anxious  to  have  him  show  his  hand. 

"  Yes,  quite  willingly.  A  day  or  two  after  you  were  engaged  to  the  Belle 
of  Australia  "  — 

"  Oh, !  can't  you  leave  her  out?  "  impatiently,  for  the  Belle  popped 

up  at  every  point. 

"  No,  my  lord,  for  she  is  one  of  the  principal  characters  after  yourself." 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  43 

"  Well,  go  on.  Every  few  minutes  she  appears  on  the  scene.  Ever)-  way 
I  turn  I  am  confronted  by  that  young  lady." 

"  No  wonder.  When  a  man  engages  to  marry  a  beautiful  young  girl  she 
usually  confronts  him  at  every  step  in  his  future  life." 

"  Such  is,  unhappily,  the  case,  I  have  been  given  to  understand.  Well, 
go  on.'1 

The  street  where  we  stood  conversing  was  nearly  deserted,  but  the  few 
people  who  were  passing  were  waved  off  by  the  Chief,  if  disposed  to  arrest 
their  steps,  and  see  what  attracted  the  officer's  attention. 

"  As  I  said  before,"  resumed  the  Chief,  after  he  had  told  several  young 
men  to  move  on,  or  he  would  know  the  reason  why,  "a  few  days  after  you 
were  engaged  to  Miss  Florence  Kebblewhite  you  gave  her  a  curious  seal 
ring,  with  your  family  coat-of-arms  engraved  upon  it.  You  are  following 
me,  my  lord  ?  " 

"  I  am  trying  to,  but  am  still  bewildered." 

"When  you  put  it  on  her  finger,  you  noticed  this  valuable  diamond,  and 
admired  it.  It  was  but  natural.  Most  men  would." 

"  I  should  think  so,"  I  murmured. 

"  She  was  pleased  at  your  admiration,  and  asked  you  if  the  Earl  of  Af- 
ton's  family  jewels  had  anything  to  compare  with  it.  You  said  that  she 
should  judge  for  herself  some  time,  and  then  the  lady  begged  of  you  to  wear 
the  jewel  for  a  few  days.  You  put  it  on  your  finger,  and,  from  that  day  to 
this,  Miss  Kebblewhite  has  not  seen  her  diamond." 

"  And  she  is  naturally  anxious  to  have  it  returned.  Give  it  to  her  by  all 
means,"  I  said  hastily.  "  Some  girls  would  shed  oceans  of  tears  at  the  loss 
of  so  beautiful  a  gem." 

"  She  is  not  anxious,  my  lord.  She  cares  nothing  about  the  diamond 
compared  to  yourself.  She  does  not  know  that  a  complaint  has  been  made 
on  account  of  the  ring.  She  still  believes  in  you,  and  imagines  you  true  and 
generous  and  noble." 

"  A  thousand  thanks  for  her  confidence.  I  begin  to  think  more  of  the 
Belle  of  Australia  than  I  did  an  hour  ago.  She  must  be  a  noble-hearted 
girl." 

'•  My  lord,  she  is  the  pride  of  the  city.  She  is  as  pure  as  she  is  beautiful. 
Even  you,  my  lord,  know  that." 

The  Chief  snapped  his  eyes  at  me  as  though  he  meant  more  than  his 
words  implied.  Then  he  continued,  — 

"  No,  the  lady  made  no  complaint,  but  her  brother  did."1 

"  She  has  a  brother  then  ?     Is  he  a  big  fellow,  with  a  fist  like  a  top-mall  ?" 


44  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"This  afternoon  at  six  o'clock,"  the  Chief  continued,  "her  brother  came 
to  my  office,  and  said  that  you  had  not  shied  your  castor  into  the  ring  at 
three  olclock,  as  per  agreement  and  articles.  That  is,"  the  Chief  said,  with 
a  slight  cough,  to  hide  the  fact  that  he  had  used  the  slang  of  the  prize  ring, 
"  you  had  not  come  up  to  time,  you  had  flunked  the  fight,  and  all  bets  were 
off  until  the  referee  decides  what  shall  be  done.  You  follow  me,  do  you  not, 
my  lord  ?  " 

"  I  am  close  on  your  heels.     Proceed." 

"  The  brother  feared  that  you  had  drank  too  much,  and  gone  to  sleep, 
forgetting  your  engagement.  But  at  the  hotel  no  one  had  seen  you  ;  at  the 
lieutenant-governor's  residence  no  one  knew  where  you  were.  Her  lady- 
ship said  that  in  the  forenoon  she  had  seen  you  on  a  dray,  and  that  you 
seemed  jolly,  but  sober.  A  Mr.  Haley  reported  that  he  had  seen  you  on  a 
dray,  and  you  appeared  to  be  under  the  influence  of  liquor.  Another  person 
saw  you  drinking  beer  with  a  drayman.  Monsieur  Allete,  a  French  gentle- 
man of  uncertain  temper,  said  that  he  met  you  in  Collins  Street  at  eleven 
o'clock,  and  that  you  were  impatient  to  leave  him,  so  that  you  could  dress, 
and  be  prompt  in  the  ring  at  three.  He  stated  that  he  handed  you  an  ele- 
gant pair  of  solitaire  diamond  ear-drops,  in  a  gold  jewel-box,  for  the  bride, 
who  is  his  idol,  and  will  inherit  all  his  immense  wealth." 

Cold  shivers  began  to  run  down  my  spine  again.  I  feared  that  the  Chief 
would  lead  up  to  those  diamonds. 

"  You  still  follow  me,  my  lord  ?  "  the  Chief  asked. 

"  I  am  trying  to,  but  feel  a  little  staggered  at  that  last  blow.  However,  I 
shall  soon  rally,  and  face  you  once  more.  Go  on." 

"Then  the  brother  mentioned,  in  an  incidental  way,  that  you  had  his  sis- 
ter's ring,  a  present  from  her  father  on  her  sixteenth  birthday,  a  jewel  that 
cost  one  thousand  pounds,  in  London." 

"  It  is  worth  it,"  I  said  quite  heartily. 

"  This  information  which  I  had  received,"  the  Chief  said,  once  more  ex- 
posing the  penchant  of  a  real  police  officer,  "  together  with  other  informa- 
tion I  had  secured,  set  me  to  thinking.  I  had  obtained  some  pretty  strong 
hints  where  your  lordship  has  passed  a  number  of  evenings  the  last  two 
weeks.  I  thought  I  could  get  on  your  track  by  going  to  a  certain  house, 
and  having  a  personal  interview  with  one  Miss  Kitty  Stukely,  a  young  — 
well,  girl,  if  you  will.  I  don't  blame  your  lordship  for  being  pleased  with 
her  face.  It  is  a  handsome  one,  and  she  was  the  best-formed  ballet  girl  in 
*  The  Black  Crook.'  when  it  was  played  here  last  season.  She  came  trom 
England,  and  has  never  returned  home,  and  never  will." 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  45 

"  Don't  wander,"  I  said.     "  Stick  to  your  subject,  Mr.  Chief." 

"  I  will.  I  fear  that  I  was  a  little  groggy,  but  now  I  am  all  right.  Well, 
Kitty  was  glad  to  see  me.  We  are  good  friends,  and  nothing  more,  and  I 
asked  after  your  lordship.  She  had  not  seen  you  since  last  evening  when 
you  called.  While  she  was  talking  with  me,  1  noticed  this  ring  on  her  fin- 
ger. My  lord,  my  lord,  it  was  a  vile,  disgraceful  thing  for  you  to  do." 

"  What  ?  "  I  asked,  suddenly  awakening  to  my  peril. 

"  To  take  a  jewel  from  the  pure,  and  noble-hearted  Belle  of  Australia,  and 
place  it  on  the  finger  of  your  latest  mistress." 

"  It  is  a  lie,  a  damnable  lie.  I  am  incapable  of  such  an  outrage.  Not  for 
all  the  gold  in  Australia  would  I  insult  a  true  lady  in  such  a  dastardly  man- 
ner. Good  God,  man,  what  do  you  think  of  me  ?  " 

"  I  think,"  said  the  Chief,  his  voice  low  but  firm,  "  that  you  are  like  many 
other  noblemen  who  have  visited  us.  You  suppose  that  we  have  such  rev- 
erence for  the  old  country,  and  titles,  that  any  disgraceful  act  that  you  may 
commit  will  go  unpunished.  My  Lord  of  Afton,  this  time  you  have  met 
your  match,  and,  unless  you  fight  foul,  you  will  have  to  marry  Miss  Kebble- 
white  before  the  moon  is  two  hours  higher." 

"In  the  name  of  Heaven  listen  to  me,  Mr.  Murden,"  I  cried.  "I  do 
not  know  who  I  am  ;  I  half  believe  either  you  or  I  to  be  a  crank.  1  am  not  a 
lord.  I  am  an  American.  Save  me  from  such  a  fate  as  a  forced  marriage 
with  a  lady,  who  will  curse  me  when  she  learns  that  she  has  been  deceived. 
I  will  not  submit  to  it,  I  tell  you.  Think  of  your  American  friends,  those 
who  wrote  about  your  wonderful  adventures  in  hunting  bushrangers.  For 
their  sake  save  me,  and  get  me  out  of  this  accursed  city,  where  ever)-  other 
man  is  a  crank,  or  else  I  am  one." 

"  My  lord,"  responded  the  Chief,  in  a  cold,  harsh  tone,  "  you  have  pitch- 
ed your  ring,  and  must  enter  it,  and-  put  up  your  maulies  like  a  man,  or  take 
the  consequences.  I  can't  save  you.  I  would  not  if  I  could.  Do  not 
think  for  a  moment  that  your  strange,  improbable  story  is  believed.  I  am 
too  old  a  hand  to  swallow  such  stuff  as  you  have  put  before  me.  You  must 
marry  the  lady  or  die,  for  all  the  traps  of  Melbourne,  with  me  at  their  head, 
could  not  preserve  your  life.  You  wrould  be  hunted  for  under  ever)*  sun, 
and  in  every  country,  and  death  would  be  the  ultimate  result  just  as  sure  as 
you  stand  here,  the  proud  Earl  of  Aftcn,  and  I  stand  here  as  simple  Mr. 
Murden,  the  Chief  of  the  Melbourne  police." 

I  could  only  utter  a  groan  of  anguish  at  the  prospect  before  me.  Mr. 
Murden  paused  a  moment,  and  then  continued,  — 

"  I  would  do  all  that  is  in  my  power  to  aid  an  American,  for  the  sake  of 


46  The  Belle  of  Atistralia. 

the  three  gentlemen  who  were,  for  some  years,  my  best  friends,  and  whom 
]  loved  most  dearly.  I  told  you  that  I  never  trusted  a  man  fully.  I  make 
an  exception  in  favor  of  the  three  Americans  who  came  here  some  years 
since,  in  search  of  fortune,  and,  thank  Heaven,  found  it  in  abundance,  as  I 
have  good  reason  to  know.  Those  men  I  relied  on,  believed  in,  and,  when 
I  was  in  a  tight  place,  they  never  shirked,  but  helped  me  out.  At  my  side, 
behind  me,  or  in  front  of  me,  they  were  just  the  same.  Their  word  was  sa- 
cred as  the  Bible.  Their  promise  as  good  as  an  oath.  And  now  let  me 
speak  still  plainer,  Earl  of  Afton.  For  all  of  your  proud  position,  for  all  of 
your  wealth,  for  all  of  your  coronet,  and  title,  I  tell  you  that  I  had  rather 
have  one  of  those  unknown  Americans  for  my  friend,  had  rather  shake 
hands  with  him,  than  to  call  you  an  associate,  or  to  let  my  hard  palm  rest 
against  yours." 

What  could  I  reply  to  such  a  torrent  of  words  ?  I  could  say  nothing,  and 
do  nothing.  The  more  I  denied  my  identity,  the  more  contempt  I  was  like- 
ly to  experience  at  the  Chief's  hands. 

"  And  now,  my  lord,  you  will  pardon  me,  if  you  please,  and  if  you  do  not 
please,  for  my  frankness,  and  let  us  once  more  turn  to  business." 

"  Willingly.  It  is  useless  for  me  to  deny  anything.  I  will  listen 
to  you.  I  know  not  who  I  am." 

"  As  I  said  before,  I  saw  this  ring  on  Miss  Kitty's  finger,  and  recognized 
it  from  the  description  which  the  younger  Mr.  Kebblewhite  furnished.  It 
is  not  usual  for  a  girl  in  her  position  of  life  to  wear  a  brilliant  that  cost  one 
thousand  pounds." 

He  paused,  and  looked  at  me  with  his  sharp  black  eyes,  but  I  did  not  an- 
swer. I  was  almost  speechless. 

"  I  took  the  jewel  from  her  finger,  and  asked  of  whom  she  obtained  it. 
She  hesitated  for  a  moment,  and  but  for  a  moment,  for  Kitty  is  honest,  even 
if  she  is  weak,  and  then  she  told  me  that  a  gentleman  named  Angus  —  she 
did  not  know  the  rest  of  your  name,  or  suspect  your  position  in  life  —  had 
placed  it  on  her  finger  three  or  four  evenings  since.  At  first  she  supposed 
the  stone  but  paste,  and  of  little  worth,  but  when  she  learned  that  the  dia- 
mond was  real,  and  of  great  value,  she  became  frightened,  and  feared  that 
it  had  been  stolen  by  the  giver.  You  are  paying  strict  attention  to  my 
words,  my  Lord  of  Afton  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  I  muttered,  seeing  the  pit  that  the  Chief  was  digging  beneath  my 
feet,  and,  detective  like,  he  was  calmly  waiting  until  my  supports  were 
knocked  from  under  me,  and  I  should  fall  in. 

"  Now,  my  lord,  I  believe  the  girl  spoke  the  truth,  but  you  deny  that  you 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  47 


loaned  her  the  ring,  or  gave  it  to  her.  Did  I  understand  you  aright,  my 
lord  ?  " 

Not  a  movement  of  my  face  escaped  his  keen  gaze. 

'•  Man  or  devil,"  I  cried,  "  can't  you  let  the  matter  drop  where  it  is  ?  Re- 
turn the  ring,  and  say  no  more  about  it." 

The  Chief  smiled.  He  liked  the  compliment.  It  was  a  tribute  to  his 
sagacity. 

"  No,  my  lord,  the  matter  has  been  placed  in  my  hands.  I  mean  to  bring 
it  to  a  speedy  conclusibn.  I  never  let  go  my  grip  when  I  have  once  fasten- 
ed on  my  prey,  and,  in  this  important  case,  I  mean  to  fight  it  to  the  bitter 
end,  and  justice  shall  be  done." 

"  And  if  I  deny  that  I  gave  the  poor  girl  the  ring,  or  loaned  it  to  her,  what 
then?  "  I  asked. 

"  Cannot  your  lordship  surmise  ?  " 

"  I  think  I  can.  The  idea  is  worthy  of  you,"  I  answered,  in  an  indignant 
tone. 

The  Chief  flushed,  and  his  eyes  showed  the  temper  that  he  tried  to  con- 
trol by  an  effort.  For  a  moment  he  was  silent.  Then  he  spoke,  — 

"We  will  not  bandy  epithets  now,"  Mr.  Murden  remarked,  sneeringly. 
"  The  gentleman  who  would  take  a  valuable  diamond  ring  from  the  hand  of 
a  pure  girl  whom  he  is  about  to  marry,  and  bestow  it  upon  a  common  — 
Well,  well,  let  us  not  be  too  hard  upon  poor  Kitty.  She  is  not  quite  as  bad 
as  that,  just  now.  But  your  lordship  will  see  that  all  the  civilities  and  cour- 
tesies of  life  are  not  embodied  in  your  own  person.  I  do  not  wish  to  speak 
harshly  to  you,  but  remember  this,  my  lord,  that  a  police  officer  may  be  as 
noble  in  the  discharge  of  his  daily  duties  as  a  peer  of  Great  Britain,  and 
that  his  word  is  just  as  good  until  he  is  a  convicted  liar." 

"  Do  you  mean  to  intimate  that  I  have  told  an  untruth  ?  "  I  demanded, 
hotly  indignant. 

"  I  intimate  nothing,  my  lord,  so  do  not  square  off  at  me.  It  won't  do 
here.  I  am  the  Chief  of  the  Melbourne  police,  and  not  private  Smithers. 
who  is  satisfied,  after  an  insult,  with  a  present  of  fifty  pounds." 

"  Pardon  me,  Mr.  Murden."  I  said,  "  I  had  no  intention  of  assaulting  you, 
but  it  is  hard  to  be  called  a  liar,  and  not  retort  in  a  forcible  manner.'' 

"  Then  keep  your  maulies  down,  and  don't  look  fight,  unless  you  mean 
it.  You  are  a  high-spirited  lad.  and  a  handsome  lad,  and  I  should  be  sorry 
to  make  a  mark  on  that  fresh  face  of  yours,  on  your  wedding  night.  The 
Belle  of  Australia  would  never  forgive  me,  for,  woman-like,  she  would  de- 
clare it  was  all  my  fault,  and  that  you  were  a  lamb,  who  could  do  no  wrong 


48  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

Oh,  damn  !  don't  I  know  them?  I  have  been  scratched  often  enough  to  un- 
derstand them,  at  my  time  of  life." 

"Are  you  a  married  man,  Mr.  Murden?"  I  asked  ;  and  the  Chief  smiled 
a  grim  smile,  as  though  he  saw  the  joke,  and  did  not  think  it  so  bad. 

"  No,  I  am  not  married,  my  lord.  I  have  no  time  for  domestic  bliss,  and 
such  nonsense.  I  'm  a  widower.  Now  I  'm  wedded  to  my  duties.  But  all 
this  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  business  which  I  have  on  hand.  Whether 
I  am  married  or  single  can  concern  you  but  little,  or  any  other  man.  Let 
us  return  to  Kitty,  and  the  ring,  for  time  is  precious  just  now." 

"  Well,  what  more  have  you  to  offer  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Me  ?  Bless  your  lordship,  if  such  a  thing  were  possible,  I  have  nothing 
to  offer.  It  is  for  your  lordship  to  make  suggestions,  not  me." 

"  Then  let  me  understand  you  quite  clearly,"  I  said.  "  If  I  deny  that  I 
gave  the  ring,  or  loaned  the  ring,  to  the  girl,  then  she  goes  to  "  — 

I  hesitated,  for  the  word  seemed  harsh  and  cruel. 

"To  prison,  my  lord.  That  is  the  ticket,"  and  the  Chief  smiled  grimly, 
as  though  the  word  had  no  terrors. 

"  Can  nothing  be  done  to  save  her  from  such  a  wretched  fate  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  and  the  Chief  lighted  a  cheroot,  one  of  Manila's  first  quality,  and 
handed  one  to  me. 

"  Name  the  course  which  must  be  pursued,  and,  if  it  depends  upon  me, 
she  shall  be  saved." 

"  That  is  well  spoken,  my  lord.  Answer  me  the  first  question,  and  then 
we  will  lead  up  to  the  others  in  the  course  of  events.  Now  then,  were  you 
over  the  bay  when  you  gave  Kitty  the  ring?" 

"  Over  the  bay  ?  "  I  stammered. 

"  Yes.     Intoxicated  I  mean." 

"  No,  sir.     I  was  never  intoxicated  in  my  life,  as  I  told  you  before." 

The  Chief  whistled,  and  shrugged  his  broad  shoulders.  He  counted  that 
as  lie  number  one  on  my  part.  I  could  see  that  he  did  by  his  dark,  expres- 
sive face,  and  twinkling  eyes. 

"  Question  number  two,"  he  said,  in  a  calm  tone,  as  though  I  was  before 
a  French  tribunal :  "  Did  you  give  her  the  ring,  or  loan  it  to  her,  when  per- 
fectly sober  ? " 

"  I  refuse  to  answer  the  question,"  I  cried.  "  I  do  not  wish  to  criminate 
the  girl,  or  any  other  person.  For  God's  sake,  Mr.  Murden,  why  will  you 
not  believe  me  when  I  tell  you  that  only  this  morning  I  stepped  on  a  tug- 
boat in  the  bay,  and  came  up  the  river  soon  afterward." 

"  The  name  of  the  tug-boat,  if  you  please." 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  49 

"  I  do  not  know  it." 

"  The  name  of  the  master  then." 

"  I  did  not  learn  it.  I  did  not  ask  it.  I  should  know  him  if  I  saw  him 
once  more." 

"  Is  the  ship  at  anchor  in  Hobson's  Bay  ?  " 

"  No,  she  braced  up  her  yards  and  left,  just  as  soon  as  I  was  landed  on 
the  tug." 

"  Give  me  the  names  of  the  parties  to  whom  the  ship  was  consigned." 

"  I  do  not  know  them.     Some  firm  at  the  bay,  I  think." 

The  Chief  laughed,  as  he  took  off  his  cap,  and  made  me  a  low  bow. 

"  Earl  of  Afton,"  he  said,  in  a  mocking  tone,  "  you  will  pardon  me  when  I 
tell  you  that,  without  exception,  you  are  the  most  audacious  and  magnificent 
liar  in  Australia  at  the  present  time.  Why,  you  could  give  points  to  a  bush- 
ranger, and  beat  him  at  his  own  game.  In  all  of  my  long  experience  on  the 
police  I  never  met  but  one  man  who  could  equal  you.  That  was  a  fellow 
named  Steel  Spring.  I  captured  him  once,  and  he  got  fifteen  years  at  hard 
labor.  His  time  has  recently  expired,  and  he  has,  so  I  have  been  informed, 
again  taken  to  the  bush,  and  is  in  the  vicinity  of  Ballarat.  How  I  wish  that 
I  could  lay  hands  on  him,  and  get  up  a  first-class  lying  match.  I  would 
wager  two  to  one  on  you,  and  rake  down  the  boys  in  a  manner  that  would 
astonish  them." 

I  thought  of  my  poor  dear  mother,  who  had  always  taught  me  to  speak 
the  truth  at  all  hazards,  and  under  all  circumstances.  I  thought  of  my  no- 
ble-hearted father,  wounded  before  the  walls  of  Vera  Cruz,  while  in  com- 
mand of  a  United-States  ship,  during  the  Mexican  war,  and  how  he  had 
loved  me,  and  then  I  could  no  longer  stand  up  under  the  vile  accusation. 
My  head  drooped  lower  and  lower,  and,  had  I  not  clung  to  a  lamp-post,  I 
should  have  fallen  on  the  sidewalk,  while  tears  fell  from  my  eyes,  and  a 
heavy  sob  broke  from  my  overcharged  heart,  and  reached  the  quick  ears  of 
Mr.  Murden,  who  sprang  forward,  and  threw  his  strong  right  arm  around 
me,  and  held  me  up. 

"  My  lord,  my  lord,"  he  cried,  with  more  of  pity  in  his  tones  than  he  had 
displayed  during  the  interview,  "  I  did  not  dream  that  you  were  so  sensitive 
to  mere  words.  I  thought  that  you  were  hardened  to  everything  in  this 
world.  That  your  life  had  been  so  wild  that  not  one  single  tender  spot  was 
to  be  found  in  your  heart  for  man  or  woman.  Pardon  me  for  misjudging 
you,  my  lord.  Let  me  assist  you.  Take  a  drop  of  brandy.  Smithers,  come 
here  quick." 

"  Yes,  yer  'onor,"  and  the  officer,  who  had  stood  at  some  distance  from 
4 


50  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

us  during  all  the  conversation,  ran  toward  me,  flourishing  his  club,  as 
though  some  hard  work  was  to  be  done  in  breaking  heads. 

"  Put  up  your  club,  you  damn  fool!  "  roared  the  Chief,  "and  give  me  your 
flask  of  brandy.  I  know  you  always  carry  one." 

"  Yes,  yer  'onor,  'ere  it  is,  and  nearly  full." 

"  Take  a  drop.  It  will  do  you  good,"  whispered  the  Chief;  and  it  did, 
for  it  sent  the  blood  dancing  through  my  veins,  and  once  more  my  man- 
hood asserted  itself,  so  that  I  shook  off  the  arm  of  the  Chief,  and  again 
stood  erect,  like  an  innocent  boy. 

"  They  seem  to  think  that  the  touch  of  common  people  is  pollution,"  I 
heard  the  Chief  mutter,  as  he  released  me,  and  once  more  assumed  the  hard 
tones  and  face  of  the  police  officer. 

"  My  lord,"  he  said,  "  I  have  apologized  for  my  rude  words,  and  that  is 
all  I  can  do  in  the  way  of  an  atonement.  But  you  will  admit  that  they  were 
justified  by  all  the  facts  of  the  case.  No  one  but  a  nobleman  or  a  fool 
would  have  invented  such  a  cock-and-bull  story,  in  the  hope  of  deceiving  the 
Chief  of  the  police  force  of  Melbourne.  But  I  now  look  on  you  with  a 
milder  eye  than  before.  You  have  a  heart,  and  you  will  not  let  little  Kitty 
go  to  prison.  Of  that  I  am  sure.  Now  to  the  proof.  Come  with  me. 
Smithers,  take  your  flask,  and  be  careful  how  you  drink  while  on  duty,  or 
some  day  you  will  find  that  you  have  been  cut  off  from  the  flower  of  the 
force.  You  and  Dick  follow  me.  The  rest  of  the  squad  can  return  to 
the  station  house,  and  report  for  duty." 

"  Where  do  you  wish  me  to  go  ? "  I  asked,  still  faint,  but  once  more 
hopeful. 

"Before  I  conduct  you  to  Mr.  Kebblewhite's,  for  a  wedding,  or  a  settle- 
ment of  some  kind,  we  will  have  an  interview  with  Miss  Kitty.  Her  mouth 
must  be  kept  shut,  and  you  will  not  offend  your  sweet  wife,  I  hope,  by  ever 
speaking  of  the  way  and  manner  in  which  you  disposed  of  the  ring.  As  for 
me,  I  could  ruin  half  the  married  men  in  Melbourne,  if  I  desired,  so  your 
lordship  need  not  fear  of  my  squealing  on  your  little  game.  Come,  my  lord." 

He  gave  me  his  arm,  and  looked  as  if  he  meant  that  I  should  take  it 
whether  I  wanted  to  or  no. 

"  Some  man  would  feel  proud  like,  you  know,  to  be  seen  walking  down 
Russell  Street  with  a  live  earl  leaning  on  his  arm.  Pull  your  hat  over  your 
face,  if  you  please,  my  lord,  and  bring  that  shawl  over  your  chin.  That 's 
right.  Now  no  one  will  recognize  you,  and  we  sha'n't  have  a  confounded 
row  on  the  street  if  we  meet  some  of  the  Belle's  friends.  Yes,  some  people 
would  give  a  pound  or  two  to  have  you  take  their  arm.  but  I  a'n't  proud.  I 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  51 


want  your  arm  in  mine  so  that  you  won't  attempt  to  waltz  down  the  street 
without  me.  There  must  be  no  skipping  out  as  far  as'  I  am  concerned.  You 
are  listening,  I  suppose  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir ;  but,  as  I  promised  not  to  escape,  or  attempt  it,  the  precaution 
is  useless." 

"  Ah,"  chuckled  the  Chief,  "  never  met  but  three  men  in  my  life  whom  I 
fullv  trusted,  as  I  said  before.  The  Americans  I  spoke  of.  Those  who 
wrote  the  books,  and  introduced  me  in  a  tip-top  manner.  Ah,  those  were 
men,  and  no  mistake.  But  here  we  are  at  the  house,  and  Kitty  is  at  home. 
I  see  a  light  in  her  window.  I  told  h  .r  not  to  have  company  tonight,  and  1 
warrant  you  she  has  obeyed  me.  Courage,  my  lord,  and  speak  the  truth, 
and  all  will  be  well  with  the  girl  hereafter." 

We  stopped  before  a  small  house,  and  the  Chief  turned  to  the  two  police- 
men who  were  following  us. 

"  Smithers,"  he  said,  "  you  and  Dick  hang  around,  but  out  of  sight. 
Come,  my  lord,''  and  he  gave  a  gentle  knock  on  the  door  of  the  house  where 
Miss  Kitty,  whom  I  had  never  seen,  or  heard  of,  resided,  and  whom  I  was 
to  face  for  the  first  time  on  a  serious  charge,  and,  for  the  life  of  me,  I  could 
not  see  how  I  was  to  disapprove  of  it,  and  still  afford  escape  for  the  girl  and 
myself,  unless  she  repudiated  me  as  her  friend,  and  of  that  I  had  great 
hope,  in  fact,  the  only  hope  of  turning  the  tables  on  the  Chief,  and  his  eter- 
nal sarcastic  grin  of  delight  at  his  supposed  smartness. 


'o  ANGUS!  DEAR  ANGUS!  i  HAVE  BEEN  so  UNHAPPY."  THE  YOUNG  LADY  CRIED,  AND  PUT  HER 

WHITE    ARMS    AROUND   MY    NECK. 

PART    III. 

MISS    KITTY    AND    THE    DIAMOND    RING    AGAIN    APPEAR.  —  A    PROMISE   TO 
BE    SILENT.  —  MR.    KEBBLEWHITE    AND    HIS     HOME.  —  HOW   MR. 
MURDEN    SURROUNDED    ME    WITH     PITFALLS.  —  USE- 
LESS   DENIALS.  —  THE    FIRST    VISION    OF 
MY     FUTURE     WIFE;      AND     A 
PLEASANT   ONE   IT   IS. 

A  S  Mr.  Murden  knocked  on  the  door,  just  light  enough  to  attract  the  at- 
**•  tention  of  the  people  inside,  I  would  have  drawn  back,  but  the  Chief 
held  on  to  me  like  a  devil-fish. 

"  No,  no,"  he  whispered,  "  none  of  that.  Don't  you  dare  to  attempt  it 
just  now.  It  will  be  dangerous  for  you.  Beside,  it  would  be  of  no  use. 
You  go  in  first,  and  give  no  intimation  that  I  am  near  you.  I  will  follow, 
as  soon  as  I  have  overheard  a  little  of  your  private  conversation.  Do 
you  understand  me  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  but  it  is  cruel  and  cowardly,"  I  answered. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  53 


"  Not  so  cowardly  as  to  give  a  girl  a  ring  that  did  not  belong  to  you.  Ah, 
my  lord  !  Think  twice  before  you  speak  of  mean  deeds,  and  cowardly  con- 
duct," and  the  Chief  snapped  his  eyes  at  me. 

The  door  was  opened  by  a  frowsey  woman,  stout  and  full-chested,  with  a 
face  that  betokened  love  for  bitter  beer  and  rum.  She  would  have  spoken, 
but  the  Chief  put  his  finger  on  his  lips,  and  motioned  her  to  be  silent.  She 
looked  a  little  frightened  at  sight  of  the  officer,  but  received  me  with  a  grim 
smile,  just  as  though  I  was  an  old  acquaintance,  whom  she  had  met  quite 
often. 

"  Enter  that  first  apartment  on  the  left,"  the  Chief  whispered.  "  Do  not 
knock,  and  do  not  close  the  door.  You  hear  me  ?  " 

"  I  'opes,  Mr.  Murden,  that  there  's  no  row  'ere.  I  'm  an  'onest  vomen  if 
there  hever  vos  one,"  sniffled  the  frowsey  one,  wiping  her  fat  nose  with  the 
back  of  her  hand. 

"  If  you  speak  above  a  whisper  I  '11  strangle  you,"  the  Chief  said.  "  Go 
to  your  kitchen,  and  keep  quiet.  No  harm  is  intended  you,  just  at  present." 

The  woman  waddled  off,  and  left  us  alone  in  the  entry.  I  delayed  follow- 
ing my  instructions,  for  I  dreaded  what  the  result  would  be,  and  feared  it. 

"  Go  on,  my  lord.  I  am  waiting  for  you.  Let  the  girl  speak  first,  if  you 
please.  I  am  a  little  bit  curious  to  hear  what  she  will  say,"  and  he  motion- 
ed me  toward  the  apartment. 

He  gave  me  a  gentle  push,  and  I  opened  the  door  and  entered  a  pretty 
little  chamber,  with  a  neat  carpet,  lace  curtains,  and  a  bed,  that  was  covered 
with  a  white  French  quilt,  pillow  shams  over  the  pillows,  and  a  bouquet  of 
fresh  flowers  on  a  table,  at  which  was  seated  a  young  girl,  not  more  than 
sixteen  years  of  age,  dressed  in  white,  with  bare  arms,  and  very  scant  gar- 
ments around  a  pretty  and  white  pair  of  shoulders,  exposing  a  bust  that 
would  have  been  appreciated  by  a  painter  or  sculptor.  In  fact,  she  was  in 
what  the  French  would  call  decidedly  decollete  costume,  although  I  have 
seen  much  freer  exposure  of  the  person  at  a  select  ball  or  party  in  New 
York  or  Boston.  She  was  as  handsome  a  picture,  as  she  sat  there  by  the 
table,  reading  by  the  light  of  a  student  lamp,  as  I  had  ever  seen,  and  for  a 
moment  I  did  not  wonder  that  my  "  double  "  had  surrendered  to  her  charms, 
and  even  given  her  the  diamond  ring,  or  anything  else  that  she  asked  for. 
Her  auburn  hair  fell  over  neck  and  bust,  and  revealed  a  face  that  was  singu- 
larly fair,  with  the  reddest  of  lips,  and  teeth  that  were  small  and  white, 
and  wonderful  in  their  evenness  and  regularity.  She  looked  up  from  a  pa- 
per that  she  was  reading,  and,  as  soon  as  she  saw  me,  gave  a  glad  cry,  and 
sprang  toward  me  with  outstretched  arms,  and  a  smile  of  delightful  sweet- 


54  7^*2  Belle  of  Australia. 


ness  over  her  fresh,  pink-and-white  face,  and  there  was  no  paint  on  it,  ei- 
ther. 

"  O  Angus,"  she  cried,  '•  I  am  so  glad  to  see  yer  :ere  this  hevening.  I 
did  not  expect  yer.  Yer  said  that  yer  did  not  intend  to  call.  Yer  dear, 
naughty  boy,  to  give  me  such  a  delightful  surprise,''  and  then,  confound  her 
impudence,  she  put  her  white,  well-formed  arms  around  my  neck,  and  puil- 
ed  my  face  down  very  gently,  and  kissed  me  a  dozen  times  on  the  lips, 
cheeks,  and  eyes,  before  I  recovered  my  presence  of  mind,  or  made  an  at- 
tempt to  resist  her  glowing  welcome,  disagreeable  as  it  was  to  me. 

"  Heavens  !  "  I  thought,  when  I  had  recovered  my  breath,  "  here  is  anoth- 
er crank,  and  the  most  dangerous  one  of  the  lot.  What  would  my  dear 
mother  say  to  all  of  this,  if  she  should  know  it?  " 

"  Angus,"  the  little  girl  said,  "yer  don't  kiss  me  as  though  yer  cared  for 
me  heny  more.  And  yer  don't  seem  a  bit  glad  to  see  me.  I  don't  believe 
yer  'as  given  yer  chickabidy  a  thought  all  day.  Now  then,  one  good  one. 
That  's  a  dear.  I  "m  hawful  glad  yer  'as  come.  I  'se  somethin'  to  tell  yer, 
vot  vill  surprise  yer.  That  old  Murden,  the  Chief  of  Police,  vos  'ere  this 
wery  hafternoon,  and  took  away  the  diamond  ring  vot  yer  gives  me  a  few 
days  ago.  'E  said  that  there  was  some  mistake  about  it,  and  that  hall  vould 
be  hexplained  ven  the  proper  time  arrived.  Vot  did  the  old  rat  mean,  An- 
gus ?  Yer  gave  me  it,  did  n't  yer  ?  Hanswer  me  that,  vont  yer  ?  " 

"  That  \s  the  very  question  I  want  him  to  answer,"  said  the  deep,  quiet 
voice  of  Mr.  Murden,  who  entered  the  room  just  at  this  moment. 

The  girl  withdrew  her  arms  from  my  neck,  and  fell  back,  astonished  at 
the  Chief's  appearance. 

"  Yes,  Kitty,"  Mr.  Murden  cried.  "  the  old  rat  is  here,  and  wants  that 
question  answered.  It  is  an  important  one  for  you  and  this  gentleman," 
and  then  he  smiled,  one  of  his  exasperating  smiles. 

The  girl  gazed  at  me,  and  then  at  the  Chief,  as  though  she  did  not  exact- 
ly understand  his  meaning. 

"Look  here,  Kitty,"  Mr.  Murden  remarked,  "  I  am  disposed  to  be  your 
friend,  but  I  must  have  straight-forward  answers.  The  law  demands  it." 

"  Don't  give  me  heny  of  yer  sour  beer,  Mr.  Murden."  the  girl  said,  with  a 
pout,  that  was  quite  pretty,  even  if  it  was  a  little  vulgar,  and  disrespectful  to 
the  Chief. 

"  I  am  in  earnest,  Kitty,  if  ever  I  was  in  my  life.  Pay  attention  to  what  I 
sa;  ."  the  Chief  remarked,  quite  composedly. 

"  All  right,  old  'un,  go  ahead,"  she  answered,  and  made  a  face  at  him, 
when  she  thought  that  he  was  not  looking  at  her, 


7 he  Belle  of  Australia.  55 

But  he  had  eyes  like  a  hawk,  and  noticed  it,  although  he  did  not  display 
any  tokens  of  an<£er. 

"  Your  face  is  pretty  enough,  Kitty,  without  those  contortions,  which  do 
not  improve  it.  Now  be  serious  for  a  moment.  Do  you  recognize  this  gen- 
tleman ?  Be  quite  careful  before  you  speak." 

"  Do  I  vot?  That  'ere  is  a  big  vord,  and  I  can't  swallow  it  'hole,  Mr. 
Maiden." 

"  Do  you  know  this  gentleman  ?  " 

"Ah,  now  yer  talks.  Vel,  I  should  think  I  did,v  and  Kitty  laughed  quite 
merrily. 

"  What  is  his  name  ?  "  demanded  the  Chief,  seriously. 

"  Angus,  and  I  loves  him,"  was  the  prompt  answer. 

"  Never  mind  the  love  just  now.     Try  and  forget  that  part  of  the  farce." 

"  I  can't,  and  I  von't,"  she  answered,  in  a  determined  tone,  and  then  put 
her  arm  around  my  neck,  and  looked  at  the  Chief  triumphantly,  as  though 
daring  him  to  part  us.  I  would  have  rembved  her  arm,  but  did  not  feel  like 
wounding  her  pride  and  devotion,  she  was  so  loving  and  confiding. 

"  You  are  sure  that  his  name  is  Angus  ?  and  that  you  have  seen  him  be- 
fore ? "  the  Chief  asked,  and  his  eyes  were  looking  at  me  so  firmly  that  I 
could  make  no  sign  of  dissent.  "  You  can  swear  to  him  ?*' 

"Swear  to  Mm?  Vy,  I  could  jist  get  up  and  'owl  that  *e  is  *im  at  heny 
time  of  the  day  or  night.  Don't  I  know  my  Angus  ?  " 

Again  I  felt  I  wras  going  down  hill,  as  though  sliding  on  an  avalanche,  and 
that  I  should  land  at  the  bottom  a  wreck,  or  else  the  husband  of  a  lady 
whom  I  had  never  seen,  cared  nothing  about,  arid  could  not  love.  I  thought 
at  the  time  that  one  state  was  as  bad  as  the  other;  and  ruin  was  preferable 
to  matrimony. 

"You  see  that  Kitty  recognizes  you,"  the  Chief  said,  with  a  grim  smile. 
"  She  is  not  mistaken,  for  the  eyes  of  a  woman  in  love  are  sharp,  when  fixed 
on  a  young  and  handsome  man." 

I  did  not  answer,  but  let  him  enjoy  his  triumph  as  he  pleased.  I  could 
say  nothing  in  my  own  defence  that  would  have  the  least  effect  on  his  mind, 
or  that  of  the  girl.  They  were  determined  cranks  at  best. 

"Now,  Kitty,  a  few  more  questions,  my  good  girl,  and  we  are  done. 
When  did  you  first  meet  with  Mr.  Angus,  as  you  call  him?"  the  Chief 
asked. 

••  At  a  free-and-heasy  on  Market  Square,  two  veeks  ago.  Ve  spoke  to- 
gether, and  *e  stood  for  the  beer,  and  then  valked  'ome  vid  me.  He  jist 
talked  beautiful,  he  did,  and  I  grew  wery  fond  of  'im." 


56  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  You  hear  ?  "  the  Chief  said,  nodding  to  me,  and  again  that  exasperating 
smile  appeared  on  his  face. 

"Yes,  I  hear,"  I  answered  despondently. 

"  And  you  do  not  desire  to  ask  her  any  questions  ?  "  the  Chief  demanded, 
now  quite  radiant. 

"  No,"  I  said,  in  a  low  tone,  sad  and  sick  at  heart.  "  It  would  be  useless, 
I  know.  You  will  not  believe  me." 

"  Angus,"  the  young  lady  said,  with  a  look  of  deep  anxiety  on  her  face, 
"  is  yer  in  trouble  on  my  account  ?  Vot  does  the  traps  (police)  vant  of  yer  ? 
Vy  is  that  old  Murden  axin'  hall  of  these  'ere  questions  for?  " 

"  Be  quiet,  Kitty,  and  old  Murden,  as  you  call  him,  will  explain  all  things 
in  due  time.  I  'm  not  so  very  old,  Kitty,  that  you  should  throw  it  in  my 
face,"  showing  that  the  bold,  bad  man  had  one  weak  spot,  like  the  rest  of 
mankind,  and  womankind,  likewise,  for  that  matter. 

"  Veil,  Mr.  Murden,  I  honly  spoke  a  jokin'  like,  yer  know.  But  I  was  so 
fearful  of  Angus,  that  I  did  n't  know  vhat  I  said." 

"  Your  friend  is  in  no  danger  just  at  present,  Kitty,  but  his  safety  depends 
upon  your  answers,  and  I  need  not  say  that  your  safety  is  in  some  measure 
involved  with  his  own.  Now  answer  me,  and  be  true  to  yourself.  Did  Mr. 
Angus  give  or  lend  you  a  diamond  ring  ?  " 

"  Vy,  'e  puts  it  on  my  finger  three  or  four  nights  ago,  and  did  n't  say 
nothin'  about  my  returnin'  it.  I  s'posed  'e  give  it  to  me,  till  yer  calls  this 
wery  hafternoon,  Mr.  Murden,  and  axed  me  for  it,"  and  Kitty's  face  glowed 
like  an  innocent  girl's. 

"  Is  this  statement  correct?  "  the  Chief  asked,  and  looked  at  me  so  fixed- 
ly that  I  had  to  drop  my  eyes,  and  think  for  a  moment  about  the  trap  into 
which  I  had  fallen,  through  his  devilish  mixture  of  cunning  and  good- 
nature. 

If  I  denied  the  story  the  poor  girl  was  threatened  with  prison,  although  I 
half  believed  it  was  only  a  bluff.  The  Chief  held  a  strong  hand,  and  would 
not  let  me  see  his  cards  unless  I  came  up  to  his  terms. 

"  Angus,  yer  know  I  speaks  the  15 vin'  truth,  and  'opes  to  die  if  I  don't," 
Kitty  said,  as  I  hesitated.  I  could  not  break  her  heart  even  to  save  myself. 

"  Yes,  she  speaks  the  truth,"  I  cried,  and  then  added  in  an  undertone, 
"  And  may  Heaven  forgive  me  for  lying  to  save  a  poor  girl  from  prison,  for 
some  man's  crime." 

Kitty  put  up  her  lips,  and  kissed  me  as  a  reward  for  my  words,  while  Mr. 
Murden  smiled  in  such  an  exasperating  manner  that  I  wanted  to  punch  his 
head. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  57 

"You  put  the  ring  on  her  linger,  did  you  ?  "  the  Chief  demanded,  and  his 
eyes  went  through  and  through  me. 

"  Yes,"  quite  boldly  this  time,  for  1  was  becoming  desperate,  and  did  not 
care  how  soon  the  farce,  or  tragedy,  was  concluded. 

"  And  you  did  not  request  her  to  return  the  ring  to  you  since  you  put  it 
on  her  finger?"  persisted  the  Chief. 

An  anxious  look  from  poor  Kitty,  and  a  stern  one  from  the  Chief. 

"  No,"  I  stammered,  with  a  guilty  look. 

"  You  are  sure,  sir  ?  " 

"  Quite  sure,"  I  answered  very  softly. 

"  Then  why  did  you  deny  that  you  gave  or  loaned  the  ring  to  the  girl 
when  we  were  on  the  street  ?  " 

"  Did  I  do  so  ?  "  I  faltered. 

"  My  Angus  vould  n't  do  any  such  thing,"  interrupted  Kitty,  confident  of 
the  integrity  of  the  man  to  whom  she  was  clinging  so  affectionately,  and  so 
eagerly. 

"  Silence,  girl,"  said  Mr.  Murden,  in  a  low,  determined  tone.  "  Your 
punishment  is  soon  to  come,  you  poor  thing." 

"  Perhaps  I  had  forgotten  the  circumstance,"  I  cried,  grasping  at  any 
loophole  for  escape . 

"  You  know  better,  my  lord.  You  know  that  you  have  committed  a  mean, 
contemptible  action  in  giving  this  poor  girl  a  ring  that  you  had  taken  from 
the  hand  of  a  true  and  pure  lady.  Men  do  not  give  away  diamonds  that  cost 
a  thousand  pounds,  and  forget  all  about  the  circumstance,  even  if  they  are 
wealthy." 

Kitty's  eyes  began  to  glitter,  and  her  face  grow  pale.  Jealousy  was  tug- 
ging at  her  heart,  to  add  to  my  other  troubles,  which,  God  knows,  were  al- 
ready heavy  enough  for  a  young  man  of  nineteen  to  bear. 

"  Vot  ?  "  she  said,  starting  back,  and  sitting  down  on  the  bed  so  suddenly 
that  she  nearly  rolled  over  on  the  other  side,  and  thence  to  the  floor.  "  Do 
yer  mean  to  tell  me  that  there  is  another  voman  vot  howns  that  ring?  " 

"  Listen  to  me  for  a  moment,  Kitty,"  the  Chief  said.  "  If  you  give  way  to 
any  yelling  or  temper  I  swear  to  you  that  I  will  lock  you  up." 

u  Yer  hold  willian,"  the  girl  began,  but  a  look  from  the  Chief,  as  black  as 
a  thunder-cloud,  stopped  her. 

"  It  is  useless  for  you  to  go  off  into  a  tantrum,"  the  Chief  contiaued ;  "so 
let  me  warn  you.  Keep  quiet,  or  I  '11  summon  one  of  my  men.  This  gen- 
tleman and  you  must  part  tonight,  and  never  meet  again." 

A  moan  from  Kitty,  and  a  rocking  of  her  body  to  and  fro  on  the  bed. 


58  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


"  You  do  not  know  who  he  is.  He  has  concealed  his  name  and  position 
in  the  world  from  you,"  Mr.  Murden  said. 

"  I  love  'im !  I  love  Mm  !  I  don't  care  if  'e  is  a  sweep,  I  love  'im,"  moan- 
ed the  girl. 

"  Don't  be  a  fool,  Kitty,  but  act  like  a  sensible  little  woman.  In  two 
hours  from  now  this  gentleman  will  be  married  to  the  Belle  of  Australia." 

"  I  'd  like  to  scratch  'er  hyes  out.  Oh,  'ow  I  'd  like  to  scratch  'er,"  and 
then  she  rolled  over  in  a  dead  faint,  and  looked  as  white  as  death,  but  hei 
fingers  and  heels  were  active  even  if  she  was  unconscious. 

"  You  see  what  a  d-r-d  mess  you  have  made  of  it,"  said  the  Chief,  just  as 
though  I  was  to  blame  for  all  that  had  occurred.  "  I  should  have  thought 
you  knew  better.  What  do  you  do  when  women  go  off  like  that  ?  Souse 
them  with  water  ?  Here  's  the  jug.  Now  then.1' 

But  Miss  Kitty  did  not  wait  for  the  deluge.  She  suddenly  sat  bolt  up- 
right, and  said  in  a  tone  of  voice  that  was  quite  firm,  if  not  cheerful,  — 

"  'Old  yer  'and,  yer  hold  willian,  and  don't  drown  me.  O  Angus,  is  this 
true  ? " 

"  It  is  true,  Kitty,"  the  Chief  said.  "  I  never  deceived  you.  He  is  to  be 
married  tonight.  Hereafter  if  you  should  see  him  on  the  street,  or  any- 
where, you  must  turn  away  your  head,  and  no  longer  recognize  him.  Do 
you  hear  me  ?" 

"  I  von't,"  was  the  sullen  response,  and  a  shower  of  tears. 

"  You  will  find  it  for  your  interest  to  do  so.  Money  will  be  given  to  you 
if  you  follow  my  advice,"  the  Chief  promised. 

I  wondered  where  the  money  was  to  come  from.  I  was  worth  just  five 
hundred  dollars,  and  that  was  not  a  large  sum  to  bribe  a  girl  who  had  ex- 
pensive tastes. 

"  I  vont  'ave  'is  money.  I  '11  throw  it  at  yer  'eacl  if  yer  hoffers  it  to  me. 
I  vant  'im,  and  not  "is  money,"  and  the  tears  rolled  down  her  cheeks,  and 
she  tried  very  hard  to  suppress  her  sobs. 

"  One  more  word,  Kitty,  and  then  I  am  done  with  you,"  Mr.  Murden  said. 
"  This  gentlernan  has  wooed  you  under  a  common  name.  He  is  not  for  the 
like  of  you.  He  is  a  nobleman,  an  English  lord." 

*'  I  don't  care  vot  'e  is.  I  should  love  'im  just  as  veil  if  'e  vos  no  more 
than  a  common  trap." 

"  We  can  spare  no  more  time  here,"  the  Chief  cried  impatiently.  "We 
must  move  along.  It  is  near  nine  o'clock,  and  we  shall  be  late." 

"  O  Angus,  vill  yer  leave  me  ?  "  asked  Kitty,  and  stretched  out  her  arms, 

"  It  is  I  who  force  him  to  go,"  said  the  Chief,  in  the  hope  of  aiding  me. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  59 

Kitty  sat  for  a  few  minutes  with  her  head  cast  down,  and  tears  flowing 
freely  from  her  handsome  blue  eyes. 

'•  Must  it  be  so,  Angus  ?  "  she  asked. 

'•  I  shall  have  to  obey  Mr.  Murden.  He  has  me  in  his  power  as  well  as 
yourself.  If  I  say  that  I  did  not  give  you  the  ring  of  my  own  free  \\ill  and 
accord,  he  arrests  you  for  larceny.  I  have  said  that  I  gave  it  to  you.  and 
you  are  safe." 

"  Right  you  are,"  chirped  the  Chief;  "  and  now  put  the  ring  on  your  fin- 
ger, where  it  belongs,  and  swear  by  all  the  saints  that  it  has  never  left  your 
possession,  if  a  certain  person  should  question  you  on  the  subject.  I  am  a 
man  of  truth,  and  never  lie,  if  the  truth  is  just  as  available ;  and,  although  I 
am  not  overpoweringly  enamored  of  your  personal  character,  my  lord,  still, 
to  save  the  happiness  of  a  most  estimable  young  lady,  I  will  never  mention 
this  matter,  and  I  am  sure  that  you  will  keep  a  close  mouth,  if  you  know 
when  you  are  well  off.  As  for  Kitty  "  — 

"  Yer  let  me  alone,  Mr.  Murden,"  moaned  the  girl.  "  Yer  has  done  mis- 
chief 'nough  for  one  day  and  night.  Yer  is  always  up  to  some  diviltry.  I 
'ates  yer  !  " 

"  As  for  Kitty  here,"  resumed  the  Chief,  not  noticing  the  interruption, 
"she  will  keep  as  mum  as  a  detective  that  is  not  paid  to  furnish  information. 
She  '.mows  me,  and  I  can  rely  on  her  silence.  That  ring  is  a  valuable  one, 
and  a  little  romance  has  been  connected  with  it.  Look  on  the  inside,  my 
lord,  and  you  will  see  the  engraving,  '  Florence,  16.'  It  was  a  birthday 
present  from  a  father  to  an  only  daughter,  just  one  year  ago.  I  need  not 
tell  you  how  that  father  would  swash  around,  and  how  the  young  lady  would 
tumble,  if  they  knew  of  this  little  transaction.  Beside,  there  is  a  brother,  a 
stout  fellow,  some  twenty-five  years  of  age,  and  he  knows  how  to  handle  his 
maulies,  and  to  shoot  quite  well.  He  is  a  blood  that  will  stand  no  nonsense 
when  his  sister's  name  is  concerned.  Come,  my  lord.  We  must  go." 

He  slipped  the  great,  blazing  diamond  on  the  little  finger  of  my  left  hand, 
and  lightly  touched  me  on  the  shoulder,  and  motioned  toward  the  door,  as 
though  in  a  hurry  to  depart. 

Kitty  started  from  the  bed,  and  came  toward  me,  her  arms  open,  and  her 
head  still  down,  to  hide  the  tears  that  flowed  from  her  eyes. 

"  I  promise  hevery  thing,"  she  said,  "  if  it  is  for  'is  'appiness.'' 

"  It  is.  Kitty,"  the  Chief  remarked,  more  mildly. 

"  Let  Mm  hanswer  me,"  the  girl  cried,  and  raised  her  head  in  a  queenly 
manner.  i;  Yer  speak,  Angus,  and  hanswer  me  yerself." 

"You  hear  what  Mr.  Murden  says.     It  maybe  for  my  happiness.     God 


60  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

knows,  I  don't.  There  is  some  cruel  mystery  connected  with  this  matter, 
which  I  am  unable  to  fathom.  Good-by,  Kitty." 

I  held  out  my  hand. 

"  Give  me  one  last  kiss,  a  good  one,  and  then  go,"  she  cried,  and  put  up 
her  white  arms. 

"  Don't  you  do  it,"  cried  the  Chief,  with  some  visible  alarm.  "  A  jealous 
woman  is  like  an  old  man  kangaroo.  She  will  scratch  the  life  out  of  you 
while  you  think  she  is  surrendering,  and  about  to  be  good.  Keep  her  at 
arm's-length." 

I  paid  no  attention  to  the  warning,  but  put  out  my  arms,  and  let  the  girl 
rest  for  a  moment  on  my  breast.  Then  I  bent  my  head,  and  kissed  her  red 
lips,  a  long,  lingering  kiss,  and  when  I  had  finished  I  felt  her  whole  weight 
rest  on  my  arm.  Poor  Kitty  had  fainted. 

"  Tumble  her  on  the  bed,"  cried  the  Chief,  "  and  let  us  be  off  before  she 
comes  to  her  senses.  I  '11  send  the  old  woman  to  look  after  her.  Oh,  con- 
found it !  why  can't  women  take  to  love  as  children  do  the  measles,  in  light 
doses  ;  break  out  for  a  while,  and  then  recover,  and  get  all  ready  for  anoth- 
er attack,  equally  as  harmless." 

Instead  of  bundling  the  girl  on  the  bed  in  an  unceremonious  manner,  I 
laid  her  down  with  gentleness  and  reverence,  and  then  bent  over  and  kissed 
her  pale  lips  for  the  last  time. 

"  Well,"  muttered  the  Chief,  "  I  don't  see  but  that  you  can  kiss  a  woman 
like  ottyer  men  when  you  get  started.  I  began  to  think  that  you  were  com- 
ing the  Joseph  game,  for  the  sake  of  throwing  minute  particles  of  our  sandy 
plains  in  my  eyes.  However,  I  give  you  my  word  that  I  shall  say  nothing 
of  all  this  at  the  next  house  where  we  have  to  make  a  call." 

He  opened  the  door  leading  to  the  entry,  suddenly,  and  there  found  the 
old  woman  listening  at  the  keyhole. 

"  I  thought  as  much,"  Mr.  Murden  remarked,  and,  seizing  the  old  female 
by  the  ear,  led  her  into  the  room,  and  pointed  to  Kitty.  "  Look  to  the  girl," 
he  commanded,  "  and  see  what  you  can  do  for  her.  Do  not  let  her  out  of 
the  house  tonight.  You  hear  me,  and  understand  ? " 

The  woman  nodded,  and  rubbed  her  ear. 

"  Keep  your  eyes  on  her  all  night,  and  don't  let  her  slip  away.  We  shall 
have  rows  enough  in  a  little  while  without  the  girl  putting  in  her  oar,  as  she 
might  do  unless  looked  after.  Remember,  I  shall  have  the  house  watched 
all  night,  and  if  you  disobey  me  the  worse  for  you." 

The  Chief  motioned  for  me  to  pass  on,  and  followed  me  to  the  door, 
closed  it,  and  then  we  stood  on  the  sidewalk.  He  put  the  little  whistle  to 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  61 

his  lips,  and  blew  a  gentle  blast.  Smithers  and  Dick  emerged  from  the  ob- 
scurity of  a  dark  alley,  and  came  toward  us. 

"  Dick,  go  for  a  hansom,"  Mr.  Murden  said.  "  Smithers,  find  the  officer 
on  this  beat,  and  tell  him  to  shadow  this  house  all  night,  and  to  let  no  one 
leave  it,  unless  it  is  a  matter  of  life  and  death.  If  Miss  Kitty  should  make 
a  move,  lock  her  up  until  morning,  when  I  will  dispose  of  her." 

The  two  officers  saluted,  and  left  us  to  do  the  bidding  of  the  Chief. 

"  Now,  my  lord,"  said  Mr.  Murden,  "  you  may  as  well  brace  up,  for  you 
have  a  devil  of  a  job  before  you,  and  no  mistake.  All  that  has  passed  is 
mere  child's  play  compared  to  what  you  will  have  to  encounter.  What  are 
your  plans  ?  " 

"  I  have  none,"  I  said.     "  I  shall  tell  the  truth." 

"  Bosh  !  how  do  you  intend  to  account  for  your  absence  when  you  face  a 
beautiful  girl,  dressed  for  a  wedding,  and  some  confoundedly  ugly  relatives  ?" 

"  Deny  that  I  am  the  Earl  of  Afton,"  I  stammered. 

"  My  lord,  don't  be  any  greater  ass  than  you  can  help,  or  that  Providence 
intended  you  should  assume  during  your  minority.  That  cock  won't  fight 
here  in  Melbourne,  and  you  should  know  it  by  this  time.  We  Australians 
may  not  be  noble  by  way  of  birth,  but  we  are  not  altogether  such  blasted  fools  as 
you  would  have  us  believe.  Now  listen  to  me,  and  be  attentive.  You  want 
to  live,  don't  you?  A  man  with  an  income  of  three  hundred  thousand 
pounds  a  year,  and  millions  of  ready  money,  lands  and  castles  in  Scotland 
and  England,  does  n't  want  to  kick  the  bucket  when  he  is  only  nineteen 
years  of  age,  does  he  ?  " 

"  No,  it  does  not  strike  me  that  he  would.  I  should  think  he  would  tfnd 
life  very  pleasant." 

"  Well,  you  pipe  that  lay,  and  see  where  you  land.  Old  Monsieur  Allete, 
a  fiery  Frenchman,  who  can  fence  like  an  angel,  will  be  there." 

"  I  should  like  to  see  an  angel  fencing,"  I  remarked.  "  It  would  be  an 
angelic  sight.  Did  you  ever  see  an  angel  ?  " 

"  Now  look  here,  my  lord,  don't  you  be  any  funnier  than  you  can  help 
just  now,  because  you  will  want  all  of  your  wit,  if  you  have  any,  to  get  out 
of  the  worst  scrape  that  you  ever  encountered  in  your  life.  Come,  what 
yarn  will  you  reel  off  to  the  old  man  Kebblewhite,  and  his  amiable  daughter, 
her  brother,  and  a  dozen  old  women,  who  would  hang  by  the  neck  every 
man  who  did  not  marry  at  the  age  of  twenty,  and  dared  to  look  at  any  other 
woman  beside  his  wife  ever  after  ?  Let  us  have  your  plea,  and,  if  it  is  con- 
sistent with  truth  and  honor,  I  '11  swear  to  it,  for  the  sake  of  helping  you 
along  in  the  world.  I  don't  want  to  lie,  I  despise  a  liar  from  the  bottom  of 


6 1  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

my  heart,  but  sometimes  it  is  necessary  that  men  should  make  common 
cause  with  each  other,  and  thus  protect  themselves  from  their  mutual  ene- 
my, woman,  who  is  bound  to  get  married  at  all  hazards,  at  all  times,  and  in 
all  places,  and  to  be  the  biggest  toad  in  the  puddle,  if  she  can  only  freeze  to 
a  male  in  time,  or  before  a  rival  girl  has  a  chance.  Come,  my  lord,  your 
plea." 

':  If  I  deny  that  I  am  the  Earl  of  Afton,  the  consequences  will  be  serious, 
you  think  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  I  know  what  they  will  be.  The  old  Frenchman  will  spit  you  on  his  ra- 
pier, the  brother  will  shoot  you  down  like  a  dog,  old  Kebble white  will  bang 
you  over  the  head  with  a  native's  nulla,  and  crack  your  skull,  the  women 
will  go  into  convulsions,  and  all  the  young  bloods  of  Melbourne  will  take  a 
hand,  and  end  your  days,  if  you  get  through  with  the  relatives  with  life  in 
your  body.  By  the  way,  are  you  a  good  shot  ?  " 

"  Excellent,  with  pistol  or  rifle." 

"  Can  you  fence  ?  " 

"  I  '11  warrant  that  I  could  even  hold  the  Frenchman  in  check.  I  have 
had  foils  in  my  hands  since  I  was  eight  years  of  age.  My  father  gave  me 
lessons,  and  he  was  a  pupil  of  the  best  swordsman  in  France." 

"  That  may  be,  but,  dash  it !  the  nulla  would  fetch  you,  unless  your  skull 
is  as  thick  as  boiler  iron,  and  I  begin  to  think  that  it  is.  No,  no,  my  lord, 
none  of  those  excellent  qualities  will  save  you.  You  would  have  to  fight 
too  many  men.  Some  of  them  would  fetch  you.  Let  me  think.  Ah,  now  I 
have  a  plan." 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  I  a»ked  eagerly,  for  I  thought  that  he  would  let  me  es- 
cape. 

"  It  is  this,  my  lord.  Most  of  our  young  swells  knew  that  you  were  to  be 
married  this  afternoon.". 

"  Did  they  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  and  they  also  knew  that  the  wedding  was  a  private  one.  They 
thought  that  you  should  have  been  swung  off  at  St.  Paul's  Church,  with  a 
big  audience,  and  all  the  fuss  and  tumult  of  a  public  execution.  You  follow 
me,  my  lord  ? " 

"  I  am  trying  to.     Lead  on." 

"  Well,  then,  some  of  the  young  swells  put  up  a  job  on  you." 

';  What  kind  of  a  job  ? "  I  asked. 

"Well,  my  lord,  that  I  will  explain  if  you  will  only  have  patience  to  listen 
to  me  for  a  moment.  Here  comes  the  hansom.  I  hear  it  rattling  around 
the  corner.  I  must  be  brief.  The  young  fellows  put  up  a  job  on  you  in 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  63 


this  way.  They  druggec1  y  >ur  wine,  and  let  you  sleep  until  I  found  you  at 
a  young  gentleman's  residence,  where  you  had  been  carried  while  stupefied. 
Owing  to  the  tearful  pleadings  of  the  young  swell  and  his  parents,  I  agree 
to  keep  everything  secret,  and  not  reveal  his  name.  You  do  not  know  it, 
and  never  will.  I  have  bathed  you,  soda-watered  you,  walked  you  up  and 
down,  until  the  fumes  of  the  opium  wore  off,  and  now  here  you  are,  all 
right,  and  repentant.  What  do  you  think  of  my  scheme,  my  lord  ?  " 

"  Mr.  Murden,"  I  said,  "  you  told  me  some  time  this  evening  that  you 
were  acquainted  with  a  celebrated  bushranger,  named  Steel  Spring." 

"Yes.     What  then?" 

"  You  also  said  that  he  was  a  celebrated  liar.  That  none  could  surpass 
him." 

"  Yes  ;  and  he  is  just  what  I  represented." 

"  Don't  you  think  you  and  he  could  have  a  meeting,  and  see  which  is  the 
most  proficient  in  yarning  ?  I  won't  say  lying,  for  I  don't  want  to  hurt 
Steel  Spring's  feelings,  if  he  should  ever  hear  of  my  remark." 

"Bosh!"  cried  the  disgusted  Chief,  "don't  be  foolish,  and  think  it  is 
smart.  I  compared  you  to  the  bushranger,  so  your  idea  is  not  original.  I 
have  invented  the  only  plan  by  which  all  things  can  be  made  smooth,  the 
lady's  wounded  vanity  healed,  and  the  rest  of  the  relatives  satisfied.  Will 
you  accept  the  theory,  or  not  ?  " 

••  Must  I  marry  the  lady  at  any  rate  ?  " 

"  Of  course.     That  is  part  of  the  programme.     No  marry,  no  safety." 

"  I  can't  deceive  a  pure  young  girl  like  Miss  Kebblewhite,"  I  said,  in  a 
dejected  tone. 

"Yes,  d —  me  if  I  should  n't  think  your  conscience  would  trouble  }ou  by 
this  time,  my  lord.  It  is  as  elastic  as  a  boomerang,  and  you  never  know 
when  and  where  it  is  going  to  strike,  after  it  once  gets  going.  Oh,  yes,  you 
have  a  conscience,  you  have,  and  Kitty,  and  other  girls,  and  the  diamond 
ring,  know  all  about  it." 

"  Let  events  take  what  course  they  will,"  1  said,  with  a  sigh  of  real  regret. 
"  I  have  done  all  that  man  can  do  to  avoid  my  fate.  Do  as  you  please  with 
me,  but  be  assured  I  shall  speak  the  truth." 

"  I  hope,  my  lord,  you  will  not  exert  yourself  unnecessarily  over  such  a 
difficult  task  ;  "  and  just  then  the  hansom  drove  up,  and  Smithers  reported, 
and  received  orders  to  follow  us  with  Dick,  as  soon  as  the  latter  returned. 

"  I  may  not  want  you,"  the  Chief  remarked,  "but,  when  a  man  will  insist 
in  saying  that  he  is  n't  himself,  but  somebody  else,  it  is  just  as  well  to  have 
a  few  police  officers  around.  Keep  near  the  house,  and  wait  for  the  usual 


64  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

signal  before  you  come  near  me.  Now,  my  lord,  put  on  the  armor  of  your 
ancestors,  and  infuse  some  of  their  brass  into  your  face,  for  you  are  going 
to  have  a  devil  of  a  time,  or  I  'm  much  mistaken." 

"  Var  to,  Mr.  Murden  ?  "  t.3ked  the  driver  of  the  hansom. 

"  You  know  where  Mr.  Kebblewhite  lives,  on  Victoria  Parade  ? "  the 
Chief  asked. 

"  Vot  is  yer  givin'  me,  sour  beer,  Mr.  Murden  ?  Don't  I  know  the  old 
cove  vot  vos  formerly  an  old  "  — 

"  Silence,  you  scoundrel !  "  roared  the  Chief.  "  Your  tongue  is  too  free. 
Keep  it  in  check,  or  I  '11  find  a  way  of  shortening  it." 

"  Beg  pardon,  sir.     No  hoff  ence,  sir,  honly  yer  knows  he  vos." 

'Drive  on  to  the  gentleman's  house,  and  hold  your  jaws  together.  Now, 
iway  you  go,  and  don't  sleep  on  the  road." 

The  man  did  not  go  to  sleep,  or  allow  his  horse  to  slumber.  He  was  just 
ten  minutes  on  the  way ;  the  most  mauvais  quarter  hour  that  I  had  ever 
experienced  in  my  life,  for  I  was  all  of  a  tremble,  and  my  throat  was  parched 
with  thirst. 

"  Courage,  my  lord.  We  '11  meet  them  like  men.  Why,  all  the  young 
swells  in  Melbourne  would  dance  with  Joy  if  in  your  blessed  shoes.  Ah, 
here  we  are.  Come,  my  lord,  please  to  dismount,  and  take  my  arm.  So, 
that  is  well.  Call  at  the  office  and  get  your  pay  tomorrow,  unless  his  lord- 
ehip  has  a  couple  of  crowns.  Ah,  that  is  all  right.  Let  us  be  generous  on 
our  wedding  night.  Brace  up,  and  smile  just  a  little." 

I  looked  at  the  house,  as  we  walked  up  the  path  to  the  front  door.  It 
was  an  immense  mansion,  built  of  stone,  and  three  stories  high,  with  a 
broad  piazza  all  around  the  front  side,  while  vines  and  flowers  were  growing 
in  profusion  in  every  direction  in  the  grounds,  scenting  the  air  with  their 
fragrance.  A  large  gaslight  hung  over  the  door,  showing  the  hard,  carved 
wood  of  the  latter,  and  the  big  silver  door-plate,  and  bell-handle,  pride  and 
arrogance  being  displayed  in  their  size. 

"  Nothing  mean  about  this  house,  is  there,  my  lord  ?  "  asked  the  Chief; 
"  although  I  suppose  it  will  not  compare  with  some  of  your  castles.  Well, 
this  will  answer  for  us  poor  colonial  people.  We  shall  do  better  some  time, 
I  dare  say,  as  we  get  rich,  and  free,  and  old." 

I  was  too  much  agitated  to  reply.  The  Chief  touched  the  bell  very  light- 
ly, and  the  door  was  almost  immediately  opened,  by  an  old,  gray-haired  ser- 
vant, in  livery,  and  white  favors  on  his  coat,  and  a  large  bunch  of  white 
flowers  in  one  of  his  button-holes. 

"  Velcome,  my  lud.     Ve  'as  been  wery  anxious  about  yer,  and  the  poor 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  65 

young  misses  'as  just  about  cried  'er  pretty  hyes  out  of  'er  'ead.  I  told  'em 
yer  'd  come  to  time,  but  no  von  vould  believe  me." 

This  was  my  reception  by  the  servant.  It  was  a  warmer  welcome  than  I 
expected  or  deserved. 

"  Where  is  your  master,  Harry  ?  "  asked  Mr.  Murden. 

"  Vel,  sir,  'e  am  in  the  dinin'  room  vid  the  rest  of  'em,  a  lushin'  down  the 
drink,  and  'e  is  in  a  wery  precious  'umor,  yer  'ad  better  believe.,  But  valk 
in,  my  lud,  and  I  '11  tell  Mm  that  yer  is  hall  right  now." 

We  entered  the  drawing-room,  dimly  lighted  with  gas,  but  I  could  see 
that  it  was  exquisitely  furnished,  with  French  carpets,  and  old  Persian  rugs. 
On  the  mantels  of  white  marble  were  choice  Sevres  vases,  a  magnificent 
clock,  and  the  walls  of  the  room  were  covered  with  oil  paintings  and  choice 
engravings,  while  in  a  corner  was  a  beautiful  grand  piano,  opened,  and  mu- 
sic on  the  rack,  as  though  some  one  had  recently  been  playing.  The  furni- 
ture was  covered  with  blue  satin  damask,  and  the  curtains  were  of  the  same 
material,  and  heavy  white  lace. 

"  Not  bad,  my  lord,"  whispered  the  Chief.  "  I  should  not  object  to  being 
the  son-in-law  of  this  establishment,  with  a  pretty  wife  thrown  in,  just  to 
make  everything  pleasant  and  comfortable." 

I  did  not  answer  him.  My  heart  was  in  my  mouth,  as  the  common  saying 
goes,  and  it  beat  so  rapidly  that  I  feared  the  Chief  would  hear  it,  and  note 
my  agitation. 

"  You  have  not  forgotten  your  lesson,  have  you  ?  "  Mr.  Murden  continued, 
as  we  heard  a  movement  in  the  dining-room.  "  If  the  old  man  has  been 

lushing  to  any  extent  he  will  be  iii  a  ugly  mood,  and  no  mistake. 

Here  he  comes,  and  may  Heaven  have  mercy  on  your  soul,  or  head,  it  does 
not  matter  much  which." 

The  door  of  the  drawing-room  was  thrown  open  with  a  crash,  and  in  walk- 
ed a  stout  old  gentleman,  with  the  stiffest  gray  hair,  and  the  reddest  face 
that  I  had  seen  in  Melbourne,  excepting  the  head  waiter  at  the  Hen  and 
Chickens.  He  looked  to  me  like  a  dangerous  crank,  and  so  I  found  him  to 
be  before  I  had  done  with  him. 

"  Vy  is  n't  this  'ere  gas  turned  up  ?  "  the  old  lunatic  roared,  as  he  entered 
the  room.  "  Yer  'Arry,  vot  the  bloody  thunder  do  yer  mean  by  not  puttin' 
on  the  light,  so  that  ve  can  see  vot  is  afore  us  ?  " 

"  I  hobey  horders,  sir,"  was  the  reply.  "  Yer  tells  me  vot  to  do,  and  I 
does  it.  Yer  tells  me  to  save  the  glim,  and  I  does  it,  and  then  yer  gives 
me  a  bloody  good  dressin'  down  ven  I  does  do  it.  Vot  is  the  huse  of 
grumblin'  at  me  hall  the  time  ? " 


66  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  Silence,  yer  scoundrel ! "  roared  the  master  of  the  house,  who  I  sup- 
posed was  my  respected  intended  father  in-law,  Mr.  Anderson  Kebblewhitc, 
dressed  as  for  a  party,  with  swallow-tail  coat,  white  vest,  black  trousers,  and 
patent  leather  pumps.  "  If  yer  makes  any  more  remarks  to  me,  if  yer  gives 
me  any  more  back  talk,  I  '11  jist  bundle  yer  hout-of-doors,  or  crack  yer  'ead 
vid  a  nulla,"  the  master  said,  in  a  tone  of  voice  that  was  not  comforting  to 
his  young  listener,  and  prospective  son-in-law,  and  i  did  feel  a  little  timid 
in  his  presence. 

Mr.  Murden  gave  me  a  significant  glance,  as  though  to  warn  me  as  to  my 
future  fate,  unless  I  was  quite  careful  in  all  my  dealings  with  the  excitable 
old  gentleman,  flush  with  wine  and  disappointment. 

The  old  servant,  who  did  not  appear  to  be  very  much  alarmed  at  the  loud 
talk  and  threats,  having  heard  the  same  thing  many  times  before,  turned  up 
the  gas,  and  lighted  some  wax  candles  on  the  mantles,  and  then  Mr.  Kebble- 
white  and  I  stood  looking  at  each  other.  His  face  was  hard  and  stern,  his 
eyes  sharp  and  deep-set,  with  a  little  shade  of  cunning  in  them,  but,  with  all 
his  pride  of  wealth,  and  all  his  fierce  aspect,  I  could  see  that  he  was  uneasy 
and  anxious  in  the  presence  of  one  whom  he  supposed  to  be  of  the  aristoc- 
racy of  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain. 

"Veil,  I  'm if  yer  'ave  n't  harrived  at  last,"  were  the  gentleman's 

first  words,  for  I  was  in  hopes  that  he  would  see  that  I  was  not  the  dis- 
tinguished person  he  was  expecting.  "  Veil,  sir,  vot  'as  yer  to  say  for  yer- 
self  ? "  he  continued.  "  A  man  vot  is  not  on  time  for  'is  vedding  don't  de- 
serve a  vife,  and  sich  a  vife  as  my  own  little  gal,  good  enough  for  a  prince, 
I  can  tell  yer,  sir."  Then  he  glared  at  me  as  if  daring  me  to  doubt  his 
word. 

"  Yes,  or  a  hemperor,"  the  old  servant  interrupted,  standing  at  the  door, 
and  surveying  the  scene  with  fatherly  interest. 

"  I  '11  break  yer  blasted  neck,  if  yer  don't  light  hout  of  this  !  'Ow  dare 
yer  put  in  yer  woice,  yer  scoundrel,  ven  I  'm  haddressin'  his  ludship  ? " 
asked  Mr.  Kebblewhite. 

"  'Cos  'e  'ad  no  business  to  keep  us  hall  a-vaitin',  and  let  the  grub  get  hall 
cold.  It  a'n't  ship-shape,  and  yer  knows  it.  But,  as  'e  is  a  lud,  yer  puts 
hup  vid  it.  Yer  'd  punch  the  'ead  of  heny  one  helse  vot  dared  to  do  so,  and 
put  a  slight  on  my  young  misses,  vot  is  good  henough  for  a  hemperor,  and 
no  mistake  about  it." 

Mr.  Kebblewhite  made  a  move  as  though  he  was  about  to  throw  a  prayer- 
book  at  the  head  of  "  'Arry,"  and  the  latter,  who  knew  his  master's  moods, 
and  the  precision  of  his  aim,  left  the  room,  and  then,  turning,  peered  around 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  67 

the  casement  of  the  door,  so  that  he  could  dodge  like  a  loon  at  the  first 
flash  of  the  heavenly  volume. 

During  all  this  time  1  had  not  spoken  a  word,  or  made  the  slightest 
movement,  while  Mr.  Murden,  who  stood  near  me,  seemed  to  tremble  as 
though  convulsed  with  an  internal  volcano,  but  when  I  glanced  at  him  he 
was  stuffing  a  silk  handkerchief  into  his  mouth,  to  prevent  the  shrieks  of 
laughter  which  wanted  to  find  vent. 

"  Pardon  me,  yer  ludship,  but  I  must  'ave  discipline  in  this  'ere  'ouse. 
If  I  did  n't  the  scamps  vould  run  away  vid  me  in  less  than  no  time.  Mr. 
Murden,  yer  is  velcome  'ere,  and  more  velcome  'cos  yer  'as  brought  the 
vandering  sheep  vid  yer.  Now,  let  us  hunderstand  hall  about  this  hunfor- 
tunate  business.  Vy  vos  not  yer  ludship  hup  to  time  ?  Vot  did  yer  keep 
us  hall  vaitin'  for  ?  Vy  vas  my  little  gal  hall  neglected  from  three  o'clock 
till  now  ?  " 

The  stout,  hard-faced  old  man  stopped  to  get  breath,  and.  to  my  surprise, 
I  saw  tears  in  the  sharp,  cunning  eyes,  and  he  did  not  try  to  conceal  them, 
but  wiped  them  away  with  a  white  linen  handkerchief.  Good  Heaven  !  this 
man,  whom  I  supposed  so  hard,  and  without  feeling,  loved  his  daughter  as 
dearly  as  a  person  who  had  better  early  advantages  in  the  way  of  education. 
I  liked  him  all  the  more  for  his  sentiment,  so  plainly  expressed.  He  had  a 
heart,  and  that  heart  beat  warmly  for  his  daughter,  even  if  he  was  a  boor. 

-  Mr.  Kebblewhite,"  I  said,  speaking  for  the  first  time,  "  I  know  that  you 
will  pardon  me  when  "  — 

"  One  moment,  your  lordship,"  interrupted  Mr.  Murden,  with  a  signifi- 
cant look  at  me,  as  though  to  warn  me  that  I  was  about  to  commit  a  blun- 
der in  denying  my  identity.  "  Perhaps  it  would  be  better  that  I  should  ex- 
plain to  Mr.  Kebblewhite  all  that  has  happened  since  his  son  brought  me 
information  that  your  lordship  had  turned  up  missing,  as  we  say  in  the 
force.  The  fact  of  it  is,  Mr.  Kebblewhite.  young  bloods  will  be  young 
bloods,  and  the  boys  rather  played  it  on  his  lordship  last  night.  They  gave 
him  a  late  supper,  and  a  little  more  wine  than  he  should  have  taken." 

"  Ah,  is  that  hall  ?  "  the  master  of  the  house  exclaimed,  with  a  sigh  of  re- 
lief, and  the  frown  left  his  brows. 

"  Not  quite  all,  sir.  In  the  last  glass  of  champagne  which  his  lordship 
drunk,  were  a  few  drops  of  a  sleeping  potion." 

"  The scoundrels  !  I  '11  punish  them  for  this.  Mr.  Murden.  yer 

must  take  charge  of  this  matter,  and  prosecute  them  to  the  extent  of  the 
law." 

"That,  sir,  I  can't  do.     I  have  promised  to  hush  the   matter  up,  to  pre- 


68  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

vent  scandal  to  his  lordship,  and  to  your  family.  Think  for  a  moment,  and 
•you  will  see  that  my  course  is  best." 

"  Perhaps  it  is,  but  I  'd  like  to  'ave  a  clip  at  'em,  jist  the  same.  Now  I 
s'pose  'is  ludship  is  hall  ready  to  be  married  ?  Veil,  ve  '11  send  for  the  par- 
son, and  'e  '11  be  'ere  in  no  time.  I  knows  it,  'cos  'e  promised  to  keepat'ome 
hall  the  hevening.  'Any,  send  the  coachman  for  the  minister  at  vonce ; 
and  tell  Florry  that  'is  ludship  is  'ere,  and  that  'e  'as  hexplained,  and  that  'e 
vill  be  married  at  vonce." 

"  One  moment,  Mr.  Kebblewhite,"  I  said,  taking  a  step  forward,  and 
speaking  as  firmly  as  I  could,  although  I  knew  that  I  trembled. 

"Your  lordship  will  remember  that  there  is  no  chance  for  words  at  this 
late  hour.  All  explanations  have  been  made,"  cried  Mr.  Murden,  with  a 
dangerous  look  in  his  eyes,  and  a  warning  gesture. 

"  No,  now  is  the  time  for  explanations,  here  in  the  presence  of  Mr.  Keb- 
blewhite, the  father  of  the  young  lady  whom  you  seem  determined  that  1 
shall  marry,"  I  said  quite  firmly. 

"  Your  lordship  has  had  a  fair  warning,"  whispered  the  Chief.  "Don't 
blame  me  if  there  is  a  collision  on  the  down  grade." 

Mr.  Kebblewhite  stared  at  me,  and  I  heard  him  mutter,  "  Forced  to  marry 
my  precious  gal,"  and  his  hands  began  to  work,  and  his  eyes  to  glitter  with 
a  dangerous  light,  while  his  face  whitened  with  passion,  and  his  lips  moved 
convulsively. 

"  Stand  by  to  douse  all  sail,"  the  Chief  rroaned.  "  Oh,  be  warned;  be 
warned  in  time." 

"  I  will  not  be  warned.  I  will  tell  all.  I  will  not  lend  myself  to  the  base, 
infamous  scheme  that  I  see  before  me." 

"  Go  on,  or  I  '11  be  cussed  if  I  don't  strangle  yer ! "  Mr.  Kebblewhite 
roared,  white  with  passion. 

"  Do  so  if  you  will,  sir,  but  I  am  not  the  Earl  of  Afton,  1  am  not  a  lord,  I 
am  not  an  Englishman.  I  am  something  far  better  than  either :  I  am  an 
American  sovereign." 

"  'Any,"  roared  the  enraged  master  of  the  house,  "  'Arry,  bring  me  my 
pistols,  and  my  nulla.  I  '11  kill  him  as  sure  as  there  is  a  God  in  'eaven. 
Hall  the  law  in  Hostralia  sha'n't  prevent  me  !  " 

Luckily  for  me,  Harry,  the  servant,  had  gone  to  give  orders  to  the  coach- 
man, for  I  heard  the  carriage  roll  out  of  the  coach-house,  and  o.i  the  gravel 
walks.  This  gave  time  to  Mr.  Murden  to  spring  forward,  and  place  a  hand 
on  Mr.  Kebblewhite's  broad  shoulders,  and  in  a  measure  restrain  him  from 
anticipated  violence. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  69 

"  Come,  sir,"  the  Chief  said,  very  sternly,  "  I  '11  have  no  murder  commit- 
ted here  in  my  presence.  If  you  call  for  pistols  again,  or  your  club,  1  '11 
whistle  in  my  men,  and  walk  you  off  to  the  station-house  in  bloody,  double- 
quick  time  now  I  tell  you." 

"  Yer  vould  dare  to  do  that  ?  "  roared  the  master  of  the  house,  foaming 
with  passion. 

"  As  the  Chief  of  the  Police  of  Melbourne,  I  dare  do  everything  and  any- 
thing, and  fear  no  man,  or  his  power,  or  his  money.  I  will  save  you,  and  I 
will  save  the  reputation  of  the  Belle  of  Australia,  and  I  '11  save  and  shame  his 
lordship,  the  Earl  of  Afton,  who  now  denies  his  rank,  for  the  sake  of  shirk- 
ing what  he  thinks  is  a  mesalliance.'" 

The  old  man  made  a  movement  as  though  he  would  break  away  from  the 
Chief's  grasp,  and  come  at  me,  and  inflict  some  injuries  with  his  bony  fists. 

"  Don't  be  rash,  Mr.  Kebblewhite.  We  don't  want  any  revival  of  old  ac- 
counts here  just  now.  I  know  all  your  past  history,  but  his  lordship  does 
not,  and  shall  not  from  me.  Lay  your  finger  on  his  lordship  tonight,  and 
all  Melbourne  will  blaze  with  but  what  few  really  know.  Keep  cool.  There 
will  be  time  enough  for  violence  if  all  other  means  fail.  Will  you  promise 
me?" 

"Yes;  but  I  'd  like  to  put  my  'ands  on  'is  white  throat  jistfora  min- 
ute :  only  for  a  minute." 

"  Do  you  think  that  would  do  any  good  ?  Do  you  suppose  that  the  Earl 
of  Afton  would  make  a  countess  of  your  daughter  after  you  had  assaulted 
him  ?  Remember,  above  all  things,  that  Miss  Florence  loves  this  gentle- 
man, loves  him  with  all  her  heart,  with  all  the  strength  and  purity  of  her 
good  and  great  nature.  She  will  believe  in  him,  and  not  in  you,  just  as  soon 
as  he  puts  an  arm  around  her,  or  presses  her  hand.  Your  word  will  be  of 
no  consequence  in  comparison  with  his,  your  paternal  tenderness  will  not 
weigh  as  a  feather,  when  her  lover  speaks  to  her  in  honeyed  words.  Come, 
listen  to  reason,  man.  Your  daughter  shall  be  married  tonight,  and  we  '11 
have  a  drink  of  champagne  to  the  health  of  the  handsomest  couole  in  Mel 
bourne,  or  Australia ;  "  and  Mr.  Murden  released  his  hold  of  the  excitable 
gentleman,  and  waited  for  an  answer. 

Mr.  Kebblewhite  weakened.  His  eyes  lost  their  fire,  and  his  face  on:e 
more  flushed,  while  his  fingers  ceased  to  clutch  and  move,  as  though  work 
ing  around  my  slim  throat. 

•*  You  see  what  you  have  narrowly  escaped,"  the  Chief  whispered  over 
his  shoulder  tome,  while  Mr.  Kebblewhite  had  turned  aivay.  "  Be  warned 
in  season,  or  I  may  not  be  able  to  save  you  a  second  time." 


70  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  Give  me  your  plan,'*  said  the  master  of  the  house.  "I  ?11  be  patient, 
but  now,  by  hall  the  saints  in  the  calendar,  'is  ludship  shall  marry  Florry. 
and  this  wery  night.  I  might  'ave  let  *im  hoff  if  'e  'd  cried  baby,  and  h own- 
ed up  like  a  man ;  but  now  *e  '11  marry  'er.  or  'e  '11  face  me  and  a  dozen 
huthers.  I  '11  not  'ave  Florry  insulted  by  a  hid.  or  heny  von  helse,  vile  1 
'ave  strength." 

This  was  pleasant  for  me.  1  had  explained  time  and  time  again  that  I 
was  not  a  nobleman,  but  it  was  of  no  avail,  and  what  to  do  I  did  not  know. 
I  must  marry  or  die. 

"  My  lord,"  said  the  Chief,  "will  you  please  to  give  me  your  full  name?" 

"Angus  Mornington,"  I  responded. 

"  Mr.  Kebblewhite,  I  see  you  have  a  book  of  the  peerage  on  your  centre- 
table.  Look  among  the  peers,  and  you  will  find  the  name  of  Angus  Morn- 
ington, Earl  of  Afton,  and  Baron  Midlothian,  aged  nineteen,"  the  Chief 
said. 

"  Yes,  it  is  'ere,"  was  the  reply. 

"  So  I  supposed.  Now  you  know  that  his  lordship  arrived  here  from  Chi- 
na in  Her  Majesty's  frigate  Carry  sford,  Captain  Lord  George  Pollock. 
This  was  some  three  weeks  ago." 

Mr.  Kebblewhite  nodded  his  head  in  response  to  the  question  of  Mr. 
Murden. 

"  Well,  our  friend  here,  the  Earl  of  Afton,  brought  letters  of  introduction 
to  the  lieutenant-governor  of  Victoria,  and  I  was  present  at  a  reception  at 
the  government  house,  and  heard  his  excellency  introduce  his  lordship  to 
the  legislature  as  the  Earl  of  Afton.'' 

"Veil, it!  so  vos  I,"  cried  Mr.  Kebblewhite.  "I  seed  the  thing 

as  veil  as  yer." 

"  I  am  aware  of  it,  sir ;  and  now  I  ask  you  if  the  captain  of  a  frigate,  if  the 
governor  of  a  province,  could  be  so  deceived  as  to  entertain  an  impostor?  " 

"  No,  a  thousand  times  no,"  was  the  prompt  response. 

I  saw  that  the  cunning  Chief  had  got  me  into  a  very  narrow  path,  and 
that  there  was  no  chance  for  me  to  turn  aside,  and  save  myself  from  de- 
struction. 

"Your  lordship  hears  all  that  is  said?"  asked  the  Chief. 

"Yes,  I  hear  everything." 

"  Now,  will  your  lordship  please  to  hold  up  your  left  hand  just  for  a  mo- 
ment ?  "  the  Chief  said. 

I  wondered  what  he  was  driving  at,  but  did  as  requested. 

"  Mr.  Kebblewhite,  please  to  examine  the  diamond  ring  on  his  lordship's 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  71 


little  finger.  You  can  see  it  glitter  from  where  you  stand.  Do  you  recog- 
nize it?  " 

<;  Of  course  I  do.     I  give  it  to  Florry  on  'er  birthday,  von  year  ago." 

"  You  knew  that  she  had  lent  it  to  his  lordship.  I  suppose  ?  " 

';  Veil,  yes,  she  tells  me  that  'e  'as  it,  but  I  s'posed  it  vos  hall  in  the  fami- 
ly in  time,  and  so  did  n't  mind  it  wery  much." 

"  You  do  not  suppose  that  his  lordship  would  part  with  that  ring  for  a 
moment,  do  you  ?  " 

'•  Veil,  I  'd  mash  'is  blasted  'ead  if  'e  did,  that  's  vot  I  'd  do  !  "  was  the 
angry  growl,  and  a  look  that  told  what  a  poor  chance  I  should  have  if  the 
old  gentleman  had  a  native  club,  or  heavy  nulla,  in  his  hand,  at  the  time 
such  a  suspicion  was  raised  in  his  mind. 

"  Does  not  this  ring  prove  that  he  is  the  same  person  to  whom  your 
charming  daughter  plighted  her  troth  ?  "  asked  the  Chief,  in  a  tone  that  was 
quite  soothing. 

I  saw  the  point  to  which  the  Chief  was  leading  up,  but,  for  the  life  of  me, 
I  could  not  prevent  it.  He  was  as  merciless  as  fate,  marching  onward  with 
but  one  purpose,  and  that  was  to  accomplish  his  will,  and  my  unhappiness, 
or  destruction.  Which  would  it  be?  Time  only  could  tell. 

"  Of  course  it  does.  Vot  do  yer  hax  that  'ere  question  for  ?  "  demanded 
Mr.  Kebblewhite,  in  an  angry  tone. 

"  I  have  a  motive,"  was  the  Chief's  reply,  in  a  quiet  manner,  and  a  look 
at  my  face,  with  such  a  glance  of  triumph,  that  I  wanted  to  strike  him,  but 
if  I  did  I  knew  that  I  should  get  the  worst  of  it. 

"  Veil,  hout  vid  it,"  the  gentleman  of  the  house  cried. 

"  Your  lordship  will  please  to  pay  marked  attention  to  my  next  question," 
Mr.  Murden  said,  and  turned  toward  me,  and  looked  so  stern,  that  I  knew 
the  moment,  when  I  had  got  to  lie  and  be  safe,  or  tell  the  truth  and  be  kill- 
ed, had  come.  "  Your  lordship  is  positive  that  the  ring  which  you  now  wear 
on  your  little  finger  has  never  left  your  possession  since  Miss  Kebblewhite 
placed  it  in  your  hands,  some  few  days  since  ?  " 

"  If  I  thought  it  'ad,  me  if  I  vould  n't  bust  'im  hall  to  pieces  !  " 

roared  the  old  gentleman,  and  he  took  a  step  toward  me,  but  I  did  not 
move,  or  put  myself  on  the  defensive.  Mr.  Murden  laid  a  hand  on  the 
broad  shoulder  of  my  proposed  father-in-law,  and  restrained  him. 

"  Be  quiet,  sir,"  he  said.  "  I  am  conducting  this  case,  and  doing  it  in 
regular  supreme-court  style.  You  just  wait  for  the  gentleman's  answer  be- 
fore you  put  on  your  fighting  rig,  and  step  into  the  ring.  I  am  umpiring 
this  little  game,  and  will  have  no  interference.  It  is  going  to  be  a  fair 


The  Belle  'of  Australia. 


fight,  or  all  bets  will  be  off.  Please  to  answer  the  question.  Earl  of  Afton. 
Your  lordship  has  had  plenty  of  time  to  think  of  it  in  all  its  bearings,  and 
know  as  well  as  I  do  what  the  result  will  be." 

He  gave  me  such  a  look,  that,  if  I  had  had  my  revolver  in  my  pocket,  I 
would  have  drawn  it,  and  defied  him.  But  I  was  alone,  unarmed.  All  were 
against  me,  and  it  was  useless  to  struggle  with  my  fate.  I  did  not  dare  to 
say  that  the  ring  had  but  recently  come  into  my  possession,  and  from  the 
hands  of  a  young  girl  like  Kitty,  whose  reputation,  I  judged,  was  none  of 
the  best  in  the  city.  I  felt  the  hot  tears  of  anger  and  mortified  pride  well 
from  my  eyes,  but  the  Chief  knew  no  pity.  He  was  hard  and  stern  as  some 
of  the  rocks  on  his  native  coast,  and  would  have  an  answer. 

"  Well,  my  lord,  are  you  still  under  the  influence  of  the  opiate  you  imbibed 
last  night,  that  you  do  not  speak  ?  We  wait  for  a  reply." 

"  The  ring  has  never  left  my  posesssion  since  the  time  I  first  received  it," 
I  answered,  and  glanced  at  the  face  of  the  Chief  to  see  how  he  enjoyed  my 
evasion. 

To  my  surprise  he  actually  smiled,  as  though  pleased  at  the  way  in  which 
I  had  escaped  telling  a  base  falsehood. 

"  You  hear  his  lordship,"  Mr.  Murden  remarked,  turning  to  Mr.  Kebble- 
white.  "  Are  you  satisfied,  sir?  " 

"  Veil,  I  s'pose  I  'd  haught  to  be.  Blast  it  hall,  a  lud  should  n't  lie,  but  I 
s'pose  they  is  like  huther  men,  and  'as  their  little  veaknesses.  Yer  vould 
n't  mind  jist  puttin'  yer  'and  to  the  Bible,  vould  yer,  my  lud,  and  swearin' 
to  that  'ere  ?  " 

"  There  is  no  occasion  for  that,  Mr.  Kebblewhite,"  the  Chief  remarked. 
"  We  have  established  two  things.  First,  that  this  gentleman  is  the  Earl  of 
Afton,  and,  secondly,  that  the  ring  has  never  left  his  hand  since  it  was  loan- 
ed him.  --  it,  sir,  we  must  give  the  nobility  a  little  liberty,  or  what  is 
the  use  of  having  such  a  class?  I  am  satisfied  with  my  evening's  work,  and 
should  think  that  you  would  be,  sir.  No  one  could  have  managed  the  case 
so  shrewdly  as  you  have.  You  have  not  offended  his  lordship,  and  your 
daughter  will  have  a  husband,  and  be  a  countess.'" 

"Veil,  now,  Murden,  I  do  believe  that  I  'as  done  veil.  I  'as  kept  my  tem- 
per, and  I  ax  'is  ludship's  pardon  if  I  'as  said  any  little  thing  vot  vos  'asty, 
yer  know." 

The  old  gentleman  bit  quite  keenly  at  the  little  bit  of  flattery  which  the 
skillful  Chief  had  thrown  to  him,  and  the  latter  had  the  impudence  to  snap 
his  eyes,  and  wink,  at  the  manner  in  which  he  was  leading  along  the  master 
of  the  house. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  73 

"  Vill  yer  ludship  be  seated  ?  "  asked  Mr.  Kebblewhite,  for  I  had  remain- 
ed standing  all  the  time  I  had  been  in  the  room,  and  really  felt  a  little  faint 
and  weak  after  such  a  trying  ordeal  as  I  had  gone  through  during  the  even- 
ing, in-doors  and  out  on  the  streets. 

I  was  glad  of  the  permission,  but  the  quick  eyes  of  Murden  saw  that  I 
was  pale  and  trembling  from  agitation,  and  dismay  at  the  prospect  before 
me. 

"  Your  lordship  had  better  drink  a  glass  of  wine.  Mr.  Kebblewhite,  the 
promised  happiness  of  your  noble  son-in-law  is  too  much  for  him.  Will 
you  ring  for  a  glass  of  wine  for  his  lordship,  and  one  for  myself  ?  I  like 
champagne  if  it  is  \\z\\frappe.  Better  bring  a  bottle  and  goblets.  I  am  as 
thirsty  as  though  I  had  passed  through  a  sirocco,  or  dust  storm/' 

The  old  servant  came  to  the  door  as  the  bell  was  touched. 

"  Miss  Florence  'ad  gone  to  bed  for  a  good  cry,  sir,  but  she  's  hup,  and 
vill  dress  agin  as  fast  as  possible.  She  's  jist  ravin'  'cos  hall  the  horringe 
blossoms  is  vilted,  as  though  I  'd  heny  thing  to  do  vid  that.  I  Ve  told  the 
gardener  to  pick  some  more,  and  now  vat  does  yer  vant  ? "' 

"  Bring  me  a  bottle  of  champagne,  yer  himpertinent  scoundrel.  Tomor- 
rer  yer  goes,"  the  fiery  master  of  the  house  thundered. 

"  Go  var,  sir  ?  " 

The  gilt-bound  prayer-book  was  raised,  but  the  old  man  was  ready  to  skip 
as  he  uttered  a  protest :  — 

"  I  tell  yer  vot  it  is,  sir,  the  dinin'-room  is  the  place  to  lush  in.  That 
French  moorsur  is  jist  pourin'  down  heverythin'  that  is  on  the  table,  and 
'e  '11  be  drunk  afore  the  veddin',  yer  see  ef  'e  a'n't,  hunless  yer  puts  a  stop- 
per on  'is  throat." 

Mr.  Kebblewhite  made  a  motion  with  the  holy  book,  but  the  old  servant 
dodged  as  usual.  He  soon  returned  with  the  wine,  as  cool  as  the  Chief  de- 
sired, and  then  three  full  goblets  were  poured  out. 

"I  propose,"  remarked  Mr.  Murden,  "the  health  and  happiness  of  the 
Earl  and  Countess  of  Afton.  Long  may  they  live  to  enjoy  each  others' 
society." 

"  And  hall  the  little  Haftens,"  said  the  enthusiastic  Mr.  Kebblewhite. 
"  The  fust  boy  shall  'ave  a  gift  of  ten  thousand  pounds,  and  the  fust  gal 
honly  five  thousand.  I  'as  long  been  hanxious  to  connect  my  family  wid  a 
syphon  of  the  haristocracy." 

The  Chief  looked  at  me,  and  nearly  laughed,  as  he  said,  — 

"There  is  but  little  difference  after  all  between  a  s,yphon  and  scion.  I 
rather  think  that  the  former  is  the  strongest  word,  and  so  will  not  shut  it  off." 


74  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

Mr.  Kebblevvhite  did  not  seem  to  understand  what  the  Chief  meant,  for 
he  glanced  at  Mr.  Murden  as  though  an  explanation  was  needed,  but  none 
was  given,  and  the  wine  was  swallowed,  and  really  did  me  an  immense  sight 
of  good,  for  it  revived  my  spirits,  and  put  some  strength  into  my  frame. 

"  Von  more  glass,  and  then  ve  '11  let  in  some  of  the  company,"  cried  Mr. 
Kebblewhite.  "  Ve  '11  'ave  a  pleasant  little  party  vile  Florry  is  fixin'  hup. 
Don't  be  hempatient,  yer  ludship.  It  is  hall  right  now.  My  vord  for 
it." 

The  wine  being  finished,  Harry  received  orders  to  let  the  company  who 
were  in  the  dining-room,  feasting  on  the  wedding  breakfast,  so  called,  come 
into  the  drawing-room,  and  be  formally  presented  to  the  great  guest  of  the 
evening,  and  the  most  important  person  in  the  house,  not  even  excepting 
the  prospective  bride. 

I  heard  them  trooping  along,  and  braced  myself  for  the  meeting.  First 
came  the  French  gentleman,  Monsieur  Allete,  escorting  a  Mrs.  Victoria 
Kebblewhite,  a  very  tall  and  thin  lady,  about  forty-five  years  of  age,  who 
was  an  aunt  of  the  bride.  Then  there  was  Judson  Kebblewhite,  the  son, 
a  stout,  good-looking  fellow,  who  escorted  no  one,  because  his  mother  was 
up-stairs  helping  Florence  to  dress,  and  there  were  no  young  ladies  present 
that  he  cared  to  pay  any  attention  to.  There  were  about  twenty  people  in 
all,  anpl  they  came  forward,  and  bowed  to  me  very  low,  and  then  trod  on 
each  others'  toes  and  heels,  while  backing  out  of  my  presence,  and  jostled 
each  other,  and  poked  one  another  with  their  elbows,  and  whispered,  and 
stared  at  me  in  the  wildest  fashion,  and  as  though  I  was  a  great  and  myste- 
ous  curiosity,  and  they  feared  I  might  make  a  rush,  and  bite  some  one.  All 
but  the  Frenchman,  who  had  met  me  on  the  street,  and  gave  me  the  casket 
of  diamonds.  He  was  not  abashed  in  the  least,  for  he  rushed  forward,  and 
exclaimed,  — 

"  Ah,  parbleu.  See  you  again  do  I  ?  You  bin  whar  ?  Alors,  you  my 
diamonds  take.  Do  vid  them  vhat  ?  Laissez  moi  voir." 

"  Come,  come,  Moorsur  Allete,  don't  let  's  'ave  heny  of  that  'ere  lingo  'ere 
tonight.  'Is  ludship  vants  to  'ear  the  real  hold  Hinglish,  and  not  heny  of 
Johnny  Crapeaud's  nose-talkin'  stuff,  vot  no  von  hunderstands.  The 
queen's  gab  is  good  enough  for  me,"  and  Mr.  Kebblewhite  waved  the 
French  gentleman  aside,  but  he  would  not  take  a  back  seat  at  the  dictation 
of  the  host.  He  was  bound  to  have  his  say,  and  I  did  not  blame  him,  when 
such  valuable  jewels  were  at  stake. 

"  Milord,  regardez  moi>  Me  look  at  quick.  I  diamonds  to  you  give,  for 
the  fiance'e.  Ah, !  vous  dites,  hey  ?  " 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  75 

"  Oh,  jist  shut  hup,  vill  yer,"  cried  Mr.  Kebblewhite.  "  Yer  act  like  a 
bloody  tool  in  the  presence  of  this  distinguished  company.  'Is  ludship 
don't  vant  no  furreners  a  'owlin'  round  Mm  tonight/' 

But  Murden  had  caught  the  word  diamonds,  and  hastened  to  put  in  a 
word. 

"  Let  Monsieur  Allete  speak,"  he  pleaded.  "  I  don't  know  much  about 
the  French  lingo  myself,  but  his  lordship  should  know  something  of  it,  if 
he  has  been  through  Eton.  Now,  monsieur,  do  I  understand  that  you 
met  his  lordship  on  the  street  this  forenoon,  and  spoke  to  him  in  French  ?  " 

"  Oui.  —  Yes,  that  is." 

"And  he  answered  you  in  French?  " 

"  Certemont,"  with  great  assurance. 

"  And  you  gave  him  some  diamonds  to  take  to  Miss  Kebblewhite?  " 

"  Diantre,  yes.'' 

"  And  is  this  the  gentleman  ? "  pointing  to  me. 

"  Imbecile,  of  course,"  with  a  shrug  of  contempt. 

"  You  are  sure  ?  "  persisted  Mr.  Murden. 

"  Tais  tor,"  with  a  shrug  of  his  shoulders,  and  turned  his  back  on  the 
Chief. 

"What  does  Monsieur  Allete  say  ?  "  asked  the  Chief,  turning  to  me,  and 
smiling  so  pleasantly,  that  I  replied,  without  a  moment's  thought,  —  . 

"  He  says  that  you  are  a  fool,  and  wants  you  to  hold  your  tongue." 

"  I  think  your  lordship  is  the  one  who  received  the  diamonds,"  was  the 
smooth  response,  and  no  show  of  annoyance.  "Another  spoke  in  your 
wheel  if  you  still  seem  disposed  to  deny  that  you  are  the  Earl  of  Afton." 

"  Yes,  the  diamonds.  To  me  give,  milord.  They  is  for  une  jolie  femme. 
Your  fiancee.  Comprend  vous  ?  Have  them  now  she  should.  To  put 
her  pretty  little  ears  in.  It  is  bon.  Sans  doubte.  Pardix,  a  little  affair 
overlook  you." 

I  turned  my  back  to  the  company  for  a  moment,  and  drew  out  the  prec- 
ious package  from  my  bosom,  and  handed  it  to  the  Frenchman,  but  he  bow- 
ed and  smiled,  and  shrugged  his  shoulders,  and  refused  to  accept  the 
casket. 

••  No.  pardon,  milord,  I  to  you  give  to  put  in  the  ears  of  ma  petite  chere 
amie.  Do  it  you  will." 

"  Let  me  see  the  jewels  for  a  moment,"  demanded  the  suspicious  Chief ; 
and  he  took  the  box.  and  opened  it,  and  then  all  the  glorious  beauty  of  the 
valuable  stones  was  seen  under  the  gaslight,  sparkling  like  the  stars  on  a 
cold,  frosty  night.  A  murmur  of  admiration  was  heard  in  every  part  of  the 


76  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

drawing-room,  and  even  Mr.  Kebble white  was  kind  enough  to  be  polite,  and 
utter  a  few  words  of  thanks. 

"  They  '11  pay  for  hall  the  lush  'e  'as  drunk  this  night,"  the  old  servant 
said,  he  having  entered  the  room,  and  got  a  peep  at  the  diamonds  over  the 
shoulders  of  the  company. 

"  You  did  not  mention  the  jewels  to  me,"  Mr.  Murden  remarked,  as  he 
returned  the  casket,  and  there  was  a  look  of  disappointment  on  his  face,  to 
think  that  there  was  a  secret  in  which  he  had  no  part. 

"  Now,  s'il  vous  plait,  give  to  her  the  diamonds,  and  compliments  of 
mine,"  said  the  gallant  Frenchman ;  and,  just  at  this  moment,  there  was  a 
stir  at  the  door,  and  in  the  hall,  and  a  vision  of  loveliness,  dressed  in  white, 
with  a  wealth  of  golden  hair  floating  over  the  handsomest  pair  of  shoulders 
that  ever  delighted  the  heart  of  man,  with  just  such  a  form  as  an  angel  is 
supposed  to  possess,  slim,  petite,  and  as  graceful  as  Venus,  darted  toward 
me,  and  threw  her  white,  beautifully  formed  arms  around  my  neck,  rested 
her  sweet  face  on  my  bosom,  and  put  up  her  red,  thin  lips  for  a  kiss,  as  she 
murmured,  — 

"  O  Angus,  dear  Angus,  I  have  been  so  unhappy  all  the  evening  because 
you  did  not  come  to  me ;  but  now  all  is  explained,  and  all  is  forgiven,  and  I 
love  you  just  as  well  as  ever,  and  I  do  hope  you  will  love  me  a  little.  Will 
you,  dear  ? " 


MR.    KEBBLEWHITE    AGAIN   CALLS    FOR    HIS    PISTOLS    AND   NULLA. 


PART    IV. 

AX     EMBARRASSING    POSITION     FOR    A    YOUNG    MAN.  —  MR.    KEBBLEWHITE 
AGAIN    GETS    ANGRY,  AND    CALLS    ONCE   MORE  FOR   HIS   PISTOLS    AND 
NULLA.  —  NO   TIME    FOR    EXPLANATIONS.  —  A   SAD   WEDDING 
AND   A    COLLATION    AND    DRINKING.  —  I    LIKE    MY    NEW 
MOTHER-IN-LAW,    AND    SHE   RATHER   LIKES   ME. 
—  MR.    KEBBLEWHITE    GIVES    US    A    SPE- 
CIMEN    OF     HIS     VOCAL     POWERS. 

IT  was  a  wailing,  appealing,  tender,  and  touching  cry,  that  simple  one 
of- 

"  O  Angus  !  " 

A  man  must  have  had  a  heart  of  stone  to  have  resisted  it,  especially  when 
it  was  fortified  by  such  a  charming  little  girl  as  had  entered  the  drawing- 
room,  thrown  her  arms  around  my  neck,  and  sighed  out,  — 
"O  Angus!" 


78  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


As  the  young  lady  laid  her  golden  hair  upon  my  bosom,  and  looked  up  in 
my  face  with  all  the  beaming  tenderness  of  her  pure  eyes  and  soul,  I  surely 
thought  that  she  would  discover  I  was  not  the  Angus  of  her  true,  fervent 
love.  But  no,  she  was  just  as  demonstrative  as  though  I  had  been  the 
proper  man,  the  hero  of  her  hopes  and  her  dreams,  her  ambition  and  confi- 
dence. 

She  put  up  her  sweet  lips,  —  a  rose-bud  of  a  mouth,  — with  the  gleaming 
of  white  teeth  behind  them,  and,  while  the  tears  were  falling  from  her  large 
blue  eyes,  veiled  by  lashes  so  long  and  dark-brown  that  they  swept  her 
white  cheeks,  she  nestled  still  closer  in  my  unwilling  arms,  and  whisper- 
ed,- 

"  Kisa  me,  dear  Angus." 

Good  Heaven  !  Here  was  a  real  crank,  and  the  most  fascinating  one 
that  I  had  encountered  in  Melbourne.  I  did  not  dare  to  follow  her  request, 
although  I  did  permit  my  arms  to  encircle  her  supple  waist,  and  to  hold  her 
close  to  my  wildly  beating  heart.  But  to  kiss  such  lips  as  those,  when  the 
wealth  of  good  things  was  intended  for  another,  even  if  he  was  unworthy, 
was  something  I  did  not  dare  to  undertake,  much  as  I  wanted  to. 

"  Angus,"  she  whispered,  while  the  company  present  pretended  to  turn 
their  backs  on  us,  and  engage  in  mutual  congratulations,  so  that  we  could 
have  a  moment's  private  conversation,  "  you  do  not  kiss  me,  and  yet  if  you 
only  knew  how  I  have  cried  since  three  o'clock  this  afternoon.  Oh,  when 
you  did  not  come  at  the  appointed  hour  I  thought  that  I  should  die  with 
mortification  and  shame.  I  feared  that  you  had  repented  of  your  promise, 
and  no  longer  loved  me.  That  you  did  not  think  me  worthy  to  be  your  own 
dear  little  wife,  and  a  countess.  I  know  that  I  have  spoiled  what  little 
beauty  I  had,  and  that  my  eyes  are  red  with  tears,  but  now  you  are  here  my 
weeping  shall  cease,  and  my  eyes  shall  be  as  bright  as  the  diamond  I  gave 
you  the  other  day.  You  know,  dear,  that  is  not  my  comparison,  but  your 
own.  But  you  flattered  your  Florry  when  you  uttered  such  idle  sayings. 
But  I  forgive  you  for  being  late.  I  have  learned  all  about  it.  You  will  nev- 
er dine  with  such  wild  young  men  again,  will  you  ?  Harry,  an  old  family 
servant,  heard  Mr.  Murclen  explain  to  papa,  and  came  to  my  chamber,  and 
told  mamma  and  I  all  about  it.  He  listened  at  the  door,  and  caught  the 
words,  and  I  was  so  delighted  that  I  forgot  to  reprimand  him  for  his  fault 
and  impertinence.  It  is  a  way  he  has,  but  then  he  has  been  in  our  family 
so  long  that  he  does  just  as  he  pleases,  and  says  that  it  is  all  for  love  of  me. 
He  does  love  me,  I  know,  for  he  has  watched  over  me  since  I  was  born. 
But  you  do  not  speak  to  me,  dear  Angus,  and  you  have  not  kissed  me  even 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  79 

once  since  I  entered  the  room,  and  your  arms,"  she  concluded,  with  a  pretty 
little  blush. 

She  put  up  her  su  eet  lips,  and  then  I  yielded.  Man  may  struggle  and 
strive  to  break  through  the  meshes  of  a  pretty  girl's  love,  but  he  often  fails, 
unless  a  cold  and  iron  will  is  inclosed  within  his  breast. 

"  Here  are  some  of  the  good  things  of  this  world  within  my  reach,  and 
why  should  I  not  take  them?"  I  asked  myself.  "These  kisses  were  not  in- 
tended for  me,  and  I  am  obtaining  them  under  false  pretences,  but  the  real 
owner  is  a  mean,  pitiful  scoundrel,  and  does  not  deserve  such  treasures,  and 
I  think  that  I  do,  for  I  could  love  this  little  darling  better  than  all  the  world, 
and  with  a  love  that  would  endure  all  changes  and  reverses." 

Thus  I  reasoned,  because  I  wanted  to  be  convinced  that  I  was  justified 
in  the  course  I  was  pursuing.  Had  the  lady  been  old  and  plain,  with  lots 
of  false  hair  and  teeth,  I  could  have  reasoned  very  differently,  I  suppose, 
had  I  tried. 

But  I  bent  my  head,  and  kissed  the  red  lips  that  were  within  my  reach. 
The  hot  blood  bounded  through  my  veins,  and  my  face  flushed  painfully,  as 
our  lips  met,  and,  as  the  first  tasted  so  good,  I  did  not  scruple  to  take  a  sec- 
ond, and  even  a  third.  I  forgot  that  I  was  not  a  lord,  but  a  poor  young 
fellow,  with  a  fortune  to  make,  and  that  I  had  no  business  to  hold  the  lady 
in  my  arms,  or  to  press  her  pure  lips ;  but  men  often  get  absent-minded  in 
such  matters. 

"That  will  do,  Angus,"  laughed  Miss  Kebblewhite.  "  I  only  said  one, 
you  know,  and  you  have  taken  three.  Well,  only  one  more  then,  for  you 
see  all  the  people  in  the  room  are  looking,  and  poor  mamma  will  have  a  fit 
if  I  do  not  keep  within  the  proprieties.  But  you  still  love  me,  dear  Angus  ?" 

This  last  in  a  whisper,  and  only  intended  for  my  ears.  Ah  !  how  musical 
was  her  voice. 

"  Now  for  it,"  I  thought.  "  She  knows  her  lover's  voice.  She  must  be 
accustomed  to  it,  and  will  see  that  I  am  not  the  person  she  supposes. 
"  Dear  Miss  Florence,"  I  saicl,  and  expected  to  see  her  start  from  my  arms, 
but  she  did  not,  only  nestled  a  little  closer  to  my  beating  heart,  "  no  one 
could  see  you,  and  not  love  you,  no  one  could  converse  with  you,  and  not 
admire  you.  Happy  will  the  man  be  who  wins  you  for  a  wife." 

"  Why,  you  are  the  one  who  has  won  me,  you  are  the  one  who  will  have 
me  for  a  wife.  Are  you  happy  at  the  thought,  Angus  ?  " 

"  I  should  be  if  "  —  I  stammered,  and  then  stopped. 

"  Ah,  I  know  you  fear  that  your  mother,  the  Countess  of  Afton,  will  not 
like  me,  and  will  not  think  that  I  am  suitable  for  an  earl's  bride,  but  I  shall 


8o  The  Belle  of  Australia, 

strive  to  make  her  love  me,  and  prove  worthy  of  the  proud  position  which  I 
am  to  occupy.  Do  you  think  I  shall  make  a  nice  countess,  and  a  pretty 
one?  If  you  say  yes  you  shall  have  one  more  little  kiss;  mind,  only  a  little 
one,  for  that  horrid  Chief  of  Police  is  looking  at  us  as  though  he  would  de- 
vour you,  or  is  it  me  ?" 

She  put  up  her  smiling  mouth,  and  gave  me  the  coveted  kiss,  even  before 
I  had  answered  the  important  question. 

"  Dear  Miss  Florence,"  I  said,  "  this  lovely  head  does  not  need  a  coronet 
to  add  to  its  beauty.  It  would  be  admired  in  any  part  of  the  world,  and 
there  are  no  peeresses  who  can  compare  with  you  for  nobleness,  and  good- 
ness, and  real  loveliness,  and  angelic  beauty." 

"  How  kind  of  you,  Angus,  to  speak  such  sweet  words  to  me.  There,  as  a 
reward,  you  may  put  your  arms  around  my  waist  once  more.  I  do  not  care 
if  people  are  looking.  In  a  few  minutes  you  will  be  my  husband,  and  I 
shall  be  your  little  loving  wife,  and  the  Countess  of  Afton." 

How  could  I  prevent  a  sigh  from  escaping  from  my  overcharged  bosom 
as  I  listened  to  her  innocent  anticipations.  I  could  do  nothing  to  dispel 
the  illusion  under  which  she  was  laboring  unless  I  was  prompt. 

"  Dear  Florry,"  I  whispered,  "  you  are  dear  enough  to  be  the  wife  of  a 
sovereign,  and  if  I  occupied  the  most  exalted  position  on  the  face  of  the 
globe,  I  would  gladly  share  it  with  you.  But  you  would  not  love  me  unless 
you  thought  I  was  noble,  and  could  give  you  a  position  in  the  world."  I 
meant  to  warn  her  very  gently. 

"  I  think  I  should,"  she  answered,  after  a  moment's  hesitation.  "  I  know 
that  I  love  you  now,  but  still,"  with  an  artless  little  smile,  "  I  want  to  be  a 
countess,  and  wear  a  coronet,  and  make  all  the  girls  of  my  acquaintance 
turn  green  with  envy  when  they  hear  of  my  presentation  at  court,  and  read 
that  the  young  Countess  of  Afton  has  excited  quite  a  ripple  in  society  by 
her  entertainments,  and  her  diamonds,  and  equipages.  Oh,  won't  we  be 
happy,  Angus?" 

"  My  own  little  darling,"  I  said  as  soon  as  I  could  recovered  my  breath, 
for  I  did  not  see  how  all  those  luxuries  could  be  supported  with  the  five 
hundred  dollars  I  had  deposited  in  the  Oriental  Bank,  "do  you  not  think 
that  you  would  be  far  happier  if  you  should  choose  some  one  for  your  mate 
in  your  own  station  in  society  ?  Come,  give  up  all  ideas  of  this  marriage, 
and  win  the  love  of  some  good  man  who  will  be  worthy  of  you,  die  for  you 
if  necessary,  and  will  never  let  his  passion  cool  with  age." 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  "  she  asked,  and  turned  on  me  in  indignant  sur- 
prise. "  Do  you  mean  that  you  want  to  give  me  up  ?  That  you  are  sorry 


T/te  Belle  of  Australia.  81 

you  are  to  wed  a  merchant's  daughter?  Are  you  already  tired  of  me  ?  Is 
this  the  love  that  your  lordship  professed  to  feel  for  me,  and  hurried  the  day 
of  the  wedding,  when  you  knew  that  no  young  lady  can  get  her  trousseau 
ready  in  less  than  three  months  ?  " 

This  last  reflection  appeared  to  be  a  little  more  grievous  than  all  others, 
and  there  were  symptoms  of  an  eruption  which  I  would  have  willingly 
quelled. 

"  Vot  is  the  matter  now,  Florry  ?  "  asked  the  father,  hearing  his  daugh- 
ter's voice  raised  a  little  louder  than  usual,  and  seeing  that  she  was  agitated 
by  some  strong  emotion,  for  tears  again  made  their  appearance. 

"  O  papa,"  the  young  lady  cried,  "  his  lordship  is  asking  me  to  release 
him  from  his  engagement." 

"Vot?"  roared  the  old  merchant.  "Do  I  'ear  aright?  'Any,  bring  me 

my  pistols  and  my  nulla  !  Quick  i  I  '11  kill  the  rascal  as  sure  as  I  'm 

a  gentleman  of  Melbourne." 

"  One  moment,  Mr.  Kebblewhite,"  said  the  Chief  of  Police,  stepping  for- 
ward. "  We  do  not  want  pistols  and  clubs  here  on  this  happy  occasion. 
Miss  Kebblewhite  has  misunderstood  his  lordship." 

"  Sacre  nom  de  Dieu,"  roared  the  Frenchman,  "  right  hear  do  I  ?  No 
noces.  From  the  hook  slip  would  he  ?  Non,  non.  Carve  him  will  I  first. 
Dam !  The  meaning  tell  to  me  of  this.  Vit ! " 

"  Keep  quiet,  all  of  you,"  said  the  calm,  powerful  voice  of  Murden.  "  Do 
not  show  a  pistol  or  a  particle  of  violence  here.  I  '11  do  all  the  fighting  that 
is  to  be  done,  and  am  capable  of  performing  my  share  when  there  is  occa- 
sion. Listen  to  me  for  a  moment,"  and  as  the  Chief  advanced,  he  whisper- 
ed to  me,  "  My  lord,  you  are  a  dead  man  unless  you  are  guided  by  me." 

"Oui,  to  the  Chief  ecutez,"  cried  the  Frenchman,  waving  his  arms,  and 

displaying  some  passion.  "  To  him  listen.  Tout.  the  language 

Ingleese.  I  spit  on  it  with  contempt,  much  !  " 

In  the  mean  time,  Florence,  who  was  frightened  at  the  tumult  which  she 
had  raised,  woman-like,  rushed  to  my  arms  to  shelter  me,  and  protect  me 
from  violence  in  case  it  should  be  offered. 

"  Put  your  arms  around  me,  and  hold  me,"  she  said.  "  No  one  shall  harm 
you  except  through  me." 

God  bless  the  dear  little  girl.  Even  in  her  distress  and  anxiety  she 
thought  of  her  love  and  lover. 

"  There  is  a  misunderstanding  here,"  the  Chief  said.  "  I  can  explain  it 
in  a  few  minutes.  Miss  Kebblewhite,  have  I  your  permission?"  and  he 
bowed  very  low  to  the  lady. 


82  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


"  Yes,  sir,"  she  answered,  and  looked  up  at  my  face  with  a  sweet  smile  on 
her  own,  all  doubt  having  vanished. 

"  Can  I  speak  for  your  lordship  ?  "  the  Chief  asked. 

"  Yes,"  I  said,  for  I  knew  he  would  speak  at  all  events,  even  if  I  did  not 
consent. 

"  I  accidentally  overheard  a  part  of  the  conversation  which  has  occasion- 
ed all  this  excitement,"  Mr.  Murden  went  on  to  say.  "  His  lordship  simply 
told  his  betrothed  that  he  feared  she  would  be  happier  to  marry  one  in  her 
own  circle,  for  that  he  was  not  worthy  of  so  much  grace  and  beauty,  such 
innocence  and  sweetness.  Am  I  right,  Miss  Kebblewhite  ?  " 

"  I  think  you  are,"  she  answered  promptly. 

The  complimentary  terms  had  struck  her  as  being  very  appropriate,  and 
she  listened  to  them  with  pleasure. 

The  crafty  Chief  knew  how  to  win  the  confidence  of  women,  and  keep 
them  in  subjection. 

"  Parbleu,  is  dat  all  ?  "  muttered  the  Frenchman.  "  All  fool  lovers  say  de 
same  ding  ven  court  they  do.  Bah  !  Me  say  dat  ding  five  hundred  million 
dimes,  and,  damn  !  not  married  yet  am  I.  Too  much  do  I  know  to  catch  fox 
old  like  me.  Elle  a  beaucoup  de  douceur,  and  husband  do  want.  Dat  is 
all  right.  He  is  here.  He  take  her,  but  foolish  nonsense  he  speak  first. 
All  men  the  same  do.  Make  sick  me." 

We  all  waited  until  the  Frenchman  had  finished  his  oration,  and  he  was 
tolerated  because  he  was  immensely  wealthy,  and  it  was  understood  that 
Florence,  his  favorite,  was  to  inherit  his  money,  made  in  the  wholesale  spir- 
it and  wine  trade,  and  still  in  business  on  Collins  Street. 

"  My  lord,"  said  the  Chief,  "you  have  no  idea  of  breaking  the  vows  which 
you  have  given  Miss  Kebblewhite?" 

"  If  he  has,  he  must  meet  me  tomorrow  morning,  and  give  me  satisfac- 
tion," said  the  younger  Mr.  Kebblewhite,  speaking  for  the  first  time. 

"  And  me  vid  der  rapier  or  der  broadsword,"  cried  the  Frenchman. 

"And  I  '11  pepper  'im  vid  a  shot  gun  afore  ?e  leaves  this  'ouse,"  the  old 
servant  kindly  remarked,  to  help  make  everything  pleasant  and  lively. 

"And  I  '11  blow  'is  brains  hout  on  this  carpet,  if  they  is  noble  brains," 
yelled  my  proposed  father-in-law,  for  the  sake  of  keeping  the  pot  boiling,  as 
the  boys  used  to  say  in  the  country,  when  at  play.  Oh,  they  were  all  an  ami- 
able set  of  cranks,  and  disposed  to  make  the  evening  a  pleasant  one  for 
me. 

"  Mr.  Kebblewhite,"  I  said,  as  soon  as  I  could  be  heard,  "  I  love  your 
daughter  so  much,  even  in  the  short  time  that  I  have  seen  her,  that  I  would 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  83 

give  all  the  world,  lose  all  the  world,  for  her  sake.  I  never  loved  a  woman, 
before.  She  is  the  first  one  to  touch  my  heart,  and  now  that  I  have  seen 
her,  held  her  in  my  arms  just  for  a  moment,  I  shall  never  love  another." 

"  What  a  blasted  romancer,"  I  heard  some  one  mutter,  and  I  had  an  im- 
pression that  it  was  Mr.  Murden,  and  that  he  was  addressing  his  conversa- 
tion to  me,  but  I  could  not  be  sure,  for  Florence  once  more  clasped  her 
arms  around  my  neck,  and  murmured,  — 

"  O  Angus,  my  noble  lord,  my  husband,  my  lover,  I  never  doubted  you  in 
the  least.  Not  even  when  you  did  not  appear  at  the  proper  hour  did  my 
confidence  wane." 

"  These  people  are  not  inwited  'ere  in  wain,  now  I  tell  yer,"  Mr.  Kebble- 
white  said,  with  a  slight  misunderstanding  of  his  daughter's  meaning.  "  I 
Ye  made  hall  preparations  for  a  veddin',  and  a  veddin'  ve  '11  'ave  afore  many 
'ours,  now  I  tell  yer.  Ve  vill  'ave  no  child's  play  'ere." 

"  O  father,"  remarked  his  son,  "  I  do  wish  that  you  would  aspirate  your 
vowels  when  you  are  in  company  like  the  present.  Think  of  his  lordship." 

"His  ludshipbe"  — 

He  was  about  to  utter  a  profane  word,  but  thought  that  it  might  not 
sound  well,  so  changed  the  subject,  and  said  that  he  'd  exasperate  every 
person  present  if  they  did  n't  mind  what  they  were  about,  and  that  he  had 
but  one  way  of  talking,  and  that  was  the  real  old-fashioned  English  way, 
and  that  was  good  enough  for  him,  or  any  other  British  merchant. 

"  But,  by  gar,"  remarked  Monsieur  Allete,  "  vous  talke,  talke  all  de  time, 
and  do  nuthin'.  O'ue  volez  vous  ?  Is  a  veddin'  tonight  ve  to  have  here  ?  " 

;-  'Ere  's  the  parson,"  announced  the  old  servant.  "  If  the  rest  of  yer  a'n't 
ready  'e  is  at  heny  rate." 

Florence  started,  and  turned  her  sweet  blue  eyes  on  my  face  so  beseech- 
ingly, that  I  could  do  no  more  than  give  back  an  answering  smile,  while  at 
the  same  time  I  was  more  anxious  than  herself  as  to  the  terrible  ordeal  that 
we  were  to  pass  through.  I  could  see  no  way  to  retreat.  All  protestations 
were  treated  with  contempt,  as  merely  the  efforts  of  a  man  to  escape  from 
vows  which  he  had  nearly  repented  of. 

"  Are  you  sure  that  you  love  me,  Angus  ?  "  she  asked  as  a  final  appeal, 
not  that  she  doubted  it,  but  because  she  wanted  to  know  that  she  was  loved 
for  herself  alone,  and  hear  the  vows  repeated. 

"  I  am  now  positive  of  the  fact,"  I  answered,  and,  as  I  looked  at  her  pure, 
girlish  face,  and  her  exquisite  form,  I  felt  that  I  spoke  the  truth ;  and  any 
good  young  man  would  have  said  the  same. 

"  And  one  word  more,"  she  cried.     "  When  we  are  in  other  climes,  in  a 


84  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

different  circle  of  society  from  this  which  has  always  surrounded  me,  you 
will  not  feel  ashamed  of  your  little  Australian  bride  ?  " 

"  She  will  always  be  the  '  Belle  of  Australia  '  to  me,"  I  answered,  and  felt 
every  word  of  it ;  and,  oh  !  how  I  did  wish  that  I  was  acting  a  real  character 
instead  of  an  imaginary  one,  and  that  I  was  an  earl,  and  a  rich  one  at  that, 
for  the  sake  of  the  angel  who  stood  beside  me,  with  a  timid,  trusting  look 
on  her  face.  Then  I  should  have  been  happy. 

"  Thank  you,  Angus,"  she  said,  in  her  simple  naive  manner.  "  You  see 
that  I  have  all  confidence  in  our  future  happiness.  It  is  such  a  favorable 
omen  to  know  that  you  never  loved  any  one  but  me.  I  don't  believe  that 
all  noblemen  are  so  good  as  you,  so  pure  and  constant." 

"  I  don't  think  they  are,  pet,  not  as  a  general  thing.  But  you  see  I  am  a 
little  different  from  the  real  nobility  of  Europe." 

"  I  believe  you,"  and  I  really  think  that  she  did,  to  judge  by  the  expres- 
sion of  her  sweet  face. 

"One  moment,  Florence,"  I  said.  "Before  the  ceremony  takes  place 
just  answer  me  one  question.  I  have  answered  yours  quite  frankly.  See, 
the  minister  is  drinking  a  glass  of  wine.  In  a  minute  we  shall  stand  before 
him.  If  I  should  not  prove  to  be  all  that  you  expect  of  me  as  to  rank,  will 
you  pardon  and  pity  me,  and  believe  me  when  I  tell  you  that  I  did  not  expect 
to  obtain  your  hand  in  this  manner  ?  " 

"  Yes,  certainly,"  looking  at  me  with  wondering  eyes,  yet  still  smiling  con- 
fidently. 

"  And  do  you  think,  dear  Florence,  that  you  would  love  me  even  if  there 
was  no  title  to  tempt  you  ?  " 

"  I  love  you,  Angus,"  was  the  reply.  "  Do  believe  me,  it  is  not  the  title 
that  I  aspire  to,  although  it  is  not  to  be  slighted,  for  wealth  and  rank  are  the 
passports  to  society,  and  from  society  to  real,  elevated  happiness,  such  as 
the  common  people  cannot  appreciate." 

"  But  if  I  belonged  to  the  common  rank,  Florence  ?  "  I  faltered. 

"  I  should  still  love  you,  so  ask  me  no  more  questions.  Time  will  tell 
that  I  am  right." 

"Yes,"  I  muttered  bitterly,  "time  will  tell  that  I  am  right  in  gauging  your 
heart,  and  that  you  are  wrong.  But  fate  is  urging  us,  and,  much  as  I  have 
struggled  against  it,  I  see  no  way  of  escape  except  by  giving  you  my  hand 
and  heart  at  the  same  time,  and  let  the  future  take  care  of  itself.  I  have 
done  the  best  I  could." 

"  Florry,  dear,  are  you  all  ready  ? "  asked  a  meek  little  woman,  with  a 
white,  anxious  face,  who  now  came  forward  in  a  timid  manner,  and  bowed 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  85 

as  though  half  frightened  at  her  own  temerity  in  being  so  familiar  with  a 
lord. 

This  was  Mrs.  Kebblewhite,  my  prospective  mother-in-law,  and  I  rather 
liked  her  looks,  and  thought  that  if  her  stout,  red-faced  husband  was  half  as 
refined,  and  as  gentle,  that  I  could  even  then  explain  matters,  and  thus  es- 
cape the  catastrophe  which  I  could  see  in  the  dim  future.  She  was  not  the 
person  to  yell  for  pistols  and  a  nulla  every  time  her  will  was  crossed.  She 
would  have  listened  to  me,  believed  me,  and  pardoned  me,  and,  perhaps,  in 
time  would  have  consented  to  a  happy  union  with  her  precious  child,  whom 
she  dearly  loved.  I  could  see  that  she  did  in  every  glance  of  her  gentle 
eyes,  and  every  movement  of  her  purring  hands,  as  she  smoothed  Florry's 
white  robes,  and  re-arranged  the  bridal  veil  and  orange-blossoms,  resting  on 
the  wealth  of  golden  hair,  the  crown  and  glory  of  the  dear  girl's  head.  She 
reminded  me  of  my  own  dear  mother,  and  I  imagined  how  those  two  prec- 
ious old  souls  would  have  enjoyed  a  wedding  in  which  they  were  both 
equally  interested,  had  they  been  brought  together  under  ordinary  circum- 
stances, such  as  usually  exist  under  matrimonial  inclinations.  How  they 
would  have  gossiped,  and  told  about  the  peculiar  traits  of  their  chil- 
dren, and  been  as  happy  as  the  parties  most  interested. 

"  I  am  all  ready,  mamma,"  the  daughter  answered.  "  Are  you  ready, 
Angus  ?  " 

She  looked  up  in  my  face  all  smiling  and  blushing,  but  saw  the  cloud  that 
was  passing  over  it,  and  said,  — 

"  Why,  Angus,  you  are  shedding  tears.  This  should  be  an  evening  for 
joy,  and  an  occasion  for  smiles.  Have  I  offended  you  in  any  way  ?  " 

"  No,  dear,  you  are  perfect  in  every  respect." 

"  Then  shall  we  go  to  the  clergyman  ?     He  is  awaiting  us,  dear." 

"  If  you  are  willing,  Florence." 

She  looked  a  little  puzzled,  for  I  held  back,  in  the  hope  that  something 
would  turn  up  to  save  me  from  a  fate  which  I  desired,  yet  dared  not  en- 
counter. 

She  leaned  lightly  on  my  arm,  and  we  had  taken  one  step  forward,  when 
Monsieur  Allete,  who  had  been  drinking  wine  with  Mr.  Kebblewhite  and 
the  clergyman,  suddenly  thrust  out  his  arms,  as  though  repelling  half  a  doz- 
en swordsmen  at  the  same  time,  and  said  quite  sharply,  — 

"  Arretez.     Stop  that  is.     Forget  you  all  ?  " 

Here  was  a  brief  respite,  and  I  hoped  that  his  sharp  eyes  had  discovered 
that  I  was  an  involuntary  impostor. 

"  Vot  the  bloody  thunder  is  the  matter  now  ?  "  sharply  demanded  the  fa- 


86  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

ther  of  the  bride,  his  anger  overcoming  his  choice  of  expressions.  "  'Arry, 
bring  me  my  pistols  and  nulla.  There  's  a  goin'  to  be  trouble  'ere  if  this 
thing  keeps  on,  now  yer  can  jist  believe  me." 

"  Pardonne  moi,  mademoiselle,"  the  French  gentleman  said.  "  Forget 
you  some  leetle  dings  ?  " 

"'Urry  hup, 'Arry,"  roared  Mr.  Kebblewhite.  "I  know  I  shall  'ave  to 
kill  somebody.  I  feel  it  in  my  bones." 

"  Yer  feels  it  in  yer  'ead,  more  like,"  was  the  cool  reply  of  the  old  ser- 
vant, as  he  stood  on  the  threshold  of  the  door,  and  did  not  seem  disposed  to 
obey  orders  unless  those  orders  were  to  his  liking.  "  Yer  'as  lushed  too 
much  tonight,  that  is  vot  yer  'as.  Now  jist  keep  quiet,  and  give  the  young 
kids  a  chance  to  do  a  little  chinnin'." 

Mr.  Kebblewhite  sought  for  the  prayer  book,  but  the  clergyman  was  look- 
ing at  it,  and  the  master  of  the  house  could  n't  very  well  snatch  it  out  of  his 
hands  to  hurl  at  the  head  of  the  old  servant,  and  the  latter  knew  it,  so 
stood  his  ground,  and  looked  at  us  with  such  a  patronizing  and  gracious  air, 
that  I  should  have  laughed  heartily  under  other  circumstances.  But  to 
smile  now  was  as  much  out  of  place  as  at  a  first-class  funeral.  Beside,  Mr. 
Kebblewhite  was  looking  at  me,  and,  confound  him,  he  might  get  hold  of  a 
pistol,  after  all,  and  do  a  little  random  shooting  at  his  proposed  son-in-law, 
whom  fathers  do  not  always  love  as  well  as  they  do  their  daughters-in- 
law. 

All  eyes  were  turned  on  Monsieur  Allete,  and  even  the  smooth-faced 
clergyman,  dressed  in  Episcopal  robes  and  bands,  looked  from  the  prayer- 
book  to  the  Frenchman,  as  though  anxious  to  know  what  was  to  happen 
next.  If  I  hoped  for  a  respite  I  was  doomed  to  be  disappointed,  for  the 
French  gentleman  remarked,  in  a  tone  that  was  intended  as  a  reproach,  — 

"  The  diamonds  buy  I  for  noces,  mademoiselle.  Love  her  do  I.  Why 
wear  them  not  she  in  her  leetle  ears  pink  ?  Hein." 

"  Oh,  you  dear  old  ami,"  cried  Florence,  "  did  you  think  that  I  would  be 
married  without  your  charming  gift?  I  shall  not  give  you  a  kiss  after  1  am 
wedded  for  doubting  me.  Here,  as  a  reward,  you  shall  put  the  jewels  in 
my  ears,  and  kiss  my  hand." 

"  I  vill  do  it  vid  pleasure  much,  my  child.  I  fear  that  forget  me  you  do  in 
the  hurry  of  the  affair  tonight." 

Now  I  am  more  than  half  convinced  that,  in  the  delicious  anticipation  of 
a  wedding,  Florence  had  nearly  forgotten  the  beautiful  gems,  but,  woman- 
like, she  got  over  the  difficulty  in  such  a  sweet,  natural  way,  that  the 
Frenchman  was  mollified,  and  smiled  his  appreciation  by  undertaking  the 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  87 

task  of  removing  the  pearl  ear-drops,  and  replacing  them  with  the  great 
flashing  diamonds  in  the  little  pink  ears. 

"  Oh,  is  that  hall?  "  asked  Mr.  Kebblewhite.  "  1  thought  it  vos  somethin' 
helse.  Yer  need  not  bring  the  pistols  and  the  nulla,  'Arry/' 

"  I  don't  hintend  to,"  was  the  satisfying  response.  "Yer  may  call  for  'em 
'til  yer  is  black  in  the  face,  and  then  yer  von't  get  'em.  I  don't  put  pistols 
in  the  'ands  of  men  vot  'as  been  lushinV 

With  the  gentleness  of  a  lady,  and  the  gallantry  of  a  Frenchman  of  the 
old  regime,  Monsieur  Allete  changed  the  ear-drops,  and  then  Florence  held 
out  her  white  gloved  hand  for  the  expected  salute. 

"  Ah,  ma  chere  amie,"  he  said,  as  he  pressed  the  little  hand  to  his  lips, 
"  may  life  to  you  be  bright  as  de  diamonds,  and  may  sorrow  all  fly  like  de 
gleam  of  de  jewels,  ven  de  light  strike  'em  full  in  de  face.  Now  go  you  to 
your  fiance.  He  look  already  jealous  of  de  old  friend  of  de  leetle  girl,  vot 
used  in  his  lap  to  sit,  and  eat  de  bon  bons." 

Florence  smiled  on  her  old  friend,  and  returned  to  my  side.  I  was  not 
jealous,  but  I  did  look  my  disappointment  when  I  found  the  reason  of  Mon- 
sieur Allete's  interruption.  He,  like  the  rest  of  them,  labored  under  the 
same  delusion  that  I  was  a  lord. 

"I  wonder  if  there  will  be  another  interruption?"  Mr.  Murden  said  to 
one  of  the  friends  of  the  family,  in  a  half  whisper,  intended  for  my  ears. 
"  It  seems  to  me  this  affair  looks  like  a  fight  where  one  is  afraid  and  the 
other  dare  not  come  to  the  scratch." 

I  gave  the  Chief  a  look  that  was  intended  to  wither  him,  but  he  did  not 
seem  to  mind  it  in  the  least.  His  nature  and  sense  of  delicacy  had  been 
strongly  perverted  by  being  brought  in  contact  with  bushrangers,  ticket-of- 
leave  men,  and  other  bad  characters.  What  effect  could  a  boy's  scorn  have 
on  such  a  man  ?  lie  was  tough  as  steel. 

"  Now,  Florry,''  whispered  the  mother,  who  had  taken  advantage  of  the 
stay  of  proceedings  to  have  a  little  private  cry  on  her  own  account,  "  now, 
darling,  be  brave,  and  in  a  few  minutes  it  will  be  all  over.  Now,  precious, 
bear  up." 

She  might  have  made  some  kindly  suggestion  to  me,  for  I  needed  advice 
much  more  than  her  daughter,  who  did  not  seem  particularly  overcome  at 
the  prospect  before  her.  The  mist  from  her  deep-blue  eyes  had  gone,  and 
her  bright  smile  was  visible  in  place  of  tears.  I  think  that  women  go 
through  with  the  terrible  and  harrowing  ordeal  of  a  wedding  with  much 
more  fortitude  than  a  man.  I  do  not  know  why  it  should  be  so,  but  it  cer- 
tainly is  the  case.  I  suppose  it  is  because  man  is  occupied  in  thinking  how 


88  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

he  is  to  obtain  the  money  to  keep  up  that  kind  of  costume,  and  pay  his 
board  bill,  and  woman  does  not  bother  her  head  over  such  earthly  subjects 
on  the  day  of  all  days  in  her  life. 

"  Now,  Angus,"  whispered  Florence,  "  I  am  quite  ready,  dear.  Slow 
step,  you  know,  and  hold  up  your  head,  as  though  you  were  proud  of  me, 
and  I  am  to  look  down,  as  though  timid  and  blushing.  Oh,  how  I  wish  we 
were  in  a  crowded  church,  and  the  organ  was  playing,  and  every  one  was  ad- 
miring me,  and  saying  how  handsome  she  is,  and  what  a  sweet  pretty  dress, 
and  how  nicely  it  does  fit.  Made  in  Paris,  at  an  immense  expense,  you 
know,  and  all  real  lace." 

Not  a  word  about  the  poor  devil  of  a  bridegroom.  I  gave  one  glance  at 
the  windows,  to  see  if  I  could  make  a  bolt,  but  Mr.  Murden,  confound  him  ! 
guarded  one,  as  though  suspicious  of  my  object,  and  Mr.  Kebblewhite  the 
younger,  and  the  old  gentleman,  the  others,  while  the  Frenchman  was  near 
the  door,  with  a  very  determined  expression  on  his  face,  and  looking  equal 
to  a  struggle.  There  was  no  hope  for  it,  and  I  shuddered  as  if  expecting 
some  one  to  say  every  moment,  "  And  may  God  have  mercy  on  your  soul." 

We  moved  along,  and  knelt  at  the  feet  of  the  clergyman,  on  soft  hassocks, 
and  I  felt  a  little  dazed  as  the  minister  said,  — 

"  Angus  Mornington,  Earl  of  Afton,  Baron  Midlothian  "  — 

"  No,  no,"  I  said  hastily.     "Call  me  simply  Angus  Mornington." 

"  Veil,  I  '11  'ave  to  kill  somebody  arter  hall,"  roared  Mr.  Kebblewhite. 
"  'Arry,  bring  me  my  pistols  and  nulla  this  time  sure." 

No  one  paid  the  slightest  attention  to  Mr.  Kebblewhite.  They  all  seem- 
ed too  much  astonished  to  heed  his  repeated  calls  for  pistols  and  club. 

**  If  you  wish  to  be  married  as  Angus  Mornington  simply,  it  can  be  done, 
although  I  prefer  to  use  your  lordship's  titles,"  the  minister  said. 

"  Never  mind  the  titles.  Call  me  by  my  proper  name.  I  prefer  it  to  all 
others,"  I  cried. 

"  Very  well,  my  lord.  Angus  Mornington,  do  you  take  Florence  Kebble- 
white for  your  lawful,  wedded  wife  ?  to  cling  to,  love,  endower  ?  "  and  there 
was  a  lot  more  of  useless  words,  which  I  do  not  recall  at  this  late  clay,  but 
even  then  I  thought  of  the  five  hundred  dollars  which  I  possessed,  and  won- 
dered what  my  wife  would  think  of  that  for  an  endowment,  in  case  there 
was  a  settlement  of  property.  I  know  that  I  answered  yes,  when  my  dear 
little  bride  poked  me  in  the  side  with  her  elbow,  to  awaken  me  to  the  fact 
that  it  was  necessary  there  should  be  a  response.  She  must  have  rehearsed 
the  services  to  have  been  so  well  acquainted  with  them,  and  without  her 
prompting  I  should  have  blundered  in  the  most  shameful  manner. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  89 

"  Then  I  pronounce  you  man  and  wife" 

I  heard  the  words,  and  my  wife  gave  my  hand  an  extra  squeeze,  to  re- 
assure me,  and  then  there  was  a  mist  before  my  eyes,  and  I  realized  that  I 
was  on  my  feet,  that  a  pair  of  warm  white  arms  were  around  my  neck,  and 
that  a  bright,  happy  face  was  turned  to  mine,  and  that  a  s  \\eet,  pleading 
voice  was  saying,  — 

"  O  Angus,  my  husband,  my  lord,  my  love,  will  you  not  kiss  me  now  that 
I  am  all  your  own  dear  little  wife,  your  countess  ?  " 

I  do  remember  that  I  kissed  her  sweet  lips,  and  that  I  heard  the  sturdy 
voice  of  Murden  saying,  — 

"  Quick,  a  glass  of  champagne  for  his  lordship  !  The  heat  of  the  room  is 
too  much  for  him.  He  is  a  little  faint.  Great  joy  and  happiness  are  as  bad 
as  guilt  and  misery  for  some  people's  natures.  Men  are  often  faint  on  such 
blissful  occasions." 

The  wine  revived  me.  It  was  cool,  and  gave  me  courage  to  turn  my 
thoughts  from  the  crime  I  had  just  committed  to  the  company  who  sur- 
rounded us,  and  offered  sincere  congratulations.  The  first  to  come  forward 
was  my  respected  father-in-law,  who  kissed  his  daughter,  and  offered  me 
both  of  his  hard,  large  hands. 

"  My  hid,"  he  said,  "  now  yer  is  really  von  of  us.  I  vanted  a  syphon  of 
rank  connected  vid  my  family,  and  now  'ere  yer  is." 

"O  papa,"  remonstrated  the  blushing  bride,  "you  mean  a  scion,  not  a 
syphon." 

"  I  knows  vot  I  means,"  was  the  answer.  "  There  a'n't  much  difference 
between  'em,  'cos  they  is  both  given  to  the  vaist,"  and  the  old  man  chuck- 
led at  his  joke,  as  he  pointed  to  one  of  my  arms  which  was  still  around  his 
daughter. 

One  by  one  the  company  came  forward,  and  offered  their  congratulations. 
I  seemed  to  be  in  a  dream,  and  could  not  realize  that  in  just  twelve  hours 
from  the  time  I  had  landed  at  Queen's  Wharf  'I  was  married  to  the  Belle  of 
Australia,  and  she  was  justly  entitled  to  the  appellation,  for  a  more  charm- 
ing picture  than  that  which  she  presented,  as  she  stood  by  my  side,  smiling 
and  blushing,  was  rarely  ever  seen  in  the  city  of  Melbourne.  Several  times 
I  pressed  her  little  hand  to  be  convinced  of  the  reality  of  the  scene,  but  as 
each  pressure  was  returned  I  knew  that  it  was  no  dream,  and  then  I  won- 
dered how  it  was  to  end,  and  whether  so  much  happiness  on  her  part,  and 
admiration  and  sudden  love  on  mine,  would  not  result  disastrously  for  us 
both.  How  I  wished  that  I  was  all  she  fancied  me,  and  that  I  could  give 
her  rank  and  wealth. 


90  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  My  lord,"  said  the  deep,  emphatic  voice  of  Murden,  "  I  too  wish  you 
and  your  countess  all  the  happiness  that  can  be  encountered  in  this 
world  of  disappointments.  You  have  won  a  prize  such  as  is  rarely  met  with," 
and,  as  Florence  smiled  and  bowed  to  the  flattering  speaker,  he  said  in  a 
low  tone,  "  and  to  me  are  you  indebted  for  this.  I  hope  that  you  will  always 
remember  it.  Some  time  I  may  go  to  England,  and,  if  I  do,  I  shall  call  and 
pay  my  respects  to  your  lordship,  and  charming  wife." 

Did  the  Chief  suspect  me,  and  did  he  know  that  I  was  only  playing  a  vile 
part  ?  Had  he  hurried  on  the  nuptials  for  some  secret  purpose  of  his  own  ? 
No,  I  could  not  believe  it,  for  his  face  looked  frank,  and  his  eyes  did  not 
have  a  suspicious  glitter.  He  imagined  that  I  was  a  real  lord  like  the  rest 
of  them.  He  would  not  have  dared,  occupying  the  position  that  he  did,  to 
countenance  such  a  gross  fraud. 

"  When  I  am  in  England  I  shall  be  glad  to  see  you,"  was  the  quiet  reply, 
and  the  Chief  retired,  and  gave  place  to  Monsieur  Allete,  who  was  too  much 
affected  to  even  talk  as  good  English  as  he  knew  how. 

"  Milord,"  he  said,  "  and  Madame  la  Countess,  me  heart  bust  all  up  in 
happiness  dat  wish  you  I.  By  and  by  more  shall  I  say  to  you.  But  now, 
I  silent  am.  I  am  tuant  to  you,  hey  ?  To  speak  be  not  afraid." 

"  You  can  never  be  tedious  to  my  —  well,  wife,"  I  said  after  an  effort,  for 
it  seemed  an  effort  to  utter  the  word  under  the  circumstances.  "  She  will 
always  remember  you  with  gratitude  and  affection,  and  I  am  sure  that  I 
shall,"  and  I  added  in  an  undertone,  as  I  looked  at  the  active  form  of  the 
French  gentleman,  and  his  classic,  severe  face,  "  when  I  get  beyond  the 
reach  of  your  small-sword." 

"  Assez,"  he  replied,  with  a  smile,  and  a  wave  of  his  significant  hands. 
"  I  am  no  queteur,  and  dat  learn  you  some  day,  hey  ?  Je  ne  veux  pas 
more  speak  now.  I  proud  shall  be  of  your  friendship,"  and  he  kissed  Flor- 
ence's hand,  and  retired  from  our  presence  by  a  backward  movement,  as 
though  he  had  been  paying  his  respects  to  a  princess,  and  knew  all  the  cere- 
monies of  court  life. 

"  Come,  'Arry,"  shouted  the  master  of  the  house,  "  the  'hole  thing  is 
hover,  and  now  tell  the  cook  to  send  hup  somethin'  'ot  for  us.  Ve  is  hall 
starved,  and  I  'm  as  dry  as  a  dust  storm.  Even  'is  ludship  looks  as  if  a 
glass  of  vine  vould  do  'im  good." 

"  Veil,  yer  don't  mean  to  tell  me  that  yer  is  goin'  to  ^^"some  more  at 
this  'our  of  the  night  ?  "  asked  the  servant  who  stood  on  the  threshold  of  the 
door,  and  beamed  on  us  his  blessing,  and  smiled  and  grinned  in  the  most 
imbecile  manner. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  91 

"  I  '11  skoff^tt"  was  the  reply.  "  Vere  did  yer  pick  hup  sich  vulgar  vords 
as  that  ? ?' 

"  Yer  knows  as  veil  as  me  vere  ve  'card  'em  fust.  Ven  ve  vos  on  the  old 
Bombay  Castle"'1 

Mr.  Kebblewhite  looked  the  anger  that  he  felt,  for  he  strode  toward  the 
old  servant,  and  the  latter  disappeared  down-stairs,  to  hint  to  the  domestics, 
who  had  all  been  in  the  hall  to  see  the  ceremony,  that  it  was  advisable  to 
get  a  late  supper  as  soon  as  possible,  and  iofrappe  some  more  champagne. 

Mr.  Murden  gave  me  a  sharp  look  when  the  servant  spoke  about  the 
Bombay  Castle,  but  I  paid  no  attention  to  it,  as  the  matter  did  not  interest 
me,  only  so  far  as  I  had  often  heard  that  that  ship  was  once  famous  for  her 
India  trade,  and  for  landing  convicts  at  Botany  Bay,  after  long  and  tedious 
passages  from  England.  There  was  a  deep,  remarkable  silence  in  the 
drawing-room  for  a  few  minutes.  Even  Mrs.  Kebblewhite,  with  her  white, 
patient  face,  looked  startled,  and  glanced  anxiously  at  her  sweet  little  child, 
as  if  fearful  that  she  would  notice  all  that  was  going  on,  and  had  been  said. 
But  Florence  seemed  as  unconscious  as  myself,  and  then  her  brother  came 
up,  and  led  her  away  from  me  to  a  distant  part  of  the  room,  where  they  con- 
versed in  a  low  tone,  and  so  for  a  while  I  was  left  without  a  companion  to 
speak  to.  I  strayed  around  the  vast  drawing-room,  looking  at  the  pictures, 
the  rare  Sevres  china,  the  Japanese  objects  of  art,  until  at  last  I  seated  my- 
self at  the  grand  piano,  and  ran  my  fingers  lightly  over  the  keys.  The 
movement  seemed  to  surprise  every  one,  for  all  stopped  talking,  and  looked 
at  me  as  though  awaiting  further  developments.  I  dashed  through  several 
little  pieces  which  I  could  play  very  well  for  an  amateur,  and  then  recol- 
lected a  song  which  I  had  often  heard  sung  in  the  Bohemian  Girl,  and,  as 
it  expressed  my  feelings  more  pointedly  than  anything  else,  I  sang  it  to  an 
audience  that  was  as  attentive  as  even  a  lord  could  wish  for. 

"  When  other  lips  and  other  hearts 

Their  tales  of  love  shall  tell, 
In  language  whose  excess  imparts 

The  power  they  feel  so  well, 
There  may,  perhaps,  in  such  a  scene, 

Some  recollection  be 
Of  days  that  have  as  happy  been, 

Then  you  Ml  remember  me. 

**  When  coldness  or  deceit  shall  slight 
The  beauty  now  they  prize, 


92  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

And  deem  it  but  a  faded  light 

That  beams  within  your  eyes  ; 
When  hollow  hearts  shall  wear  a  mask 

'T  will  break  your  own  to  see, 
In  such  a  moment  I  '11  but  ask 

That  you  '11  remember  me." 

"  Une  bon  chanson,"  cried  the  Frenchman,  and  there  was  generous  ap- 
plause, but,  before  I  had  concluded,  I  felt  a  warm  arm  around  my  neck,  and 
a  dear  little  golden  head  was  pressed  close  to  my  face. 

"O  Angus,"  Florence  said,  "you  never  intimated  to  me  that  you  could 
play  and  sing  like  this.  How  cruel  to  hide  such  talent  from  me." 

"  Because,  sweetheart,  our  acquaintance  has  been  too  recent  for  you  to  dis- 
cover all  of  my  good  qualities,  if  I  have  any,"  I  sighed. 

"  But  you  told  me  at  one  time  that  you  did  not  care  much  for  music,  and 
knew  but  little  about  it." 

"  Do  you  recollect  the  exact  date,  dear  ?  " 

"  Several  days  since,  when  I  offered  to  play  for  you." 

Thank  fortune  there  were  two  accomplishments  in  which  I  excelled  my 
mysterious  double.  I  could  sing,  and  had  a  nice  tenor  voice.  It  seems  he 
was  not  a  musician. 

**  Ah,  pet,"  I  remarked,  "  I  should  be  but  an  ungrateful  husband  not  to 
be  willing  to  listen  to  your  playing  and  singing  forever.  To  see  you,  to 
hear  your  voice,  to  feel  the  pressure  of  your  little  hand  is  too  much  happi- 
ness for  any  man." 

"  Not  too  much  for  you,"  she  said,  as  she  nestled  by  my  side  on  the  pi- 
ano-stool, so  that  I  was  obliged  to  put  an  arm  around  her  slender  waist,  to 
prevent  her  from  slipping  off.  "  You  deserve  more  than  I  can  give.  I  wish 
that  I  were  ten  times  more  beautiful,  if  it  would  make. you  any  happier,  and 
love  me  any  better,  you,  who  are  so  noble  and  good,  pure  and  true." 

I  saw  the  Chief  looking  at  me,  and  I  imagined  that  his  lips  in  their- move- 
ment formed  the  word  "  Kitty,"  but  he  uttered  no  sound. 

"  I  could  not  love  you  better  than  I  do,  Florence,"  I  answered.  "  You 
are  far  too  good  for  me,  and  some  time  you  will  acknowledge  it,  and,  per- 
haps, the  time  is  not  far  distant." 

"  Never,"  was  the  emphatic  answer.  "  I  am  very  proud  of  my  young 
husband,  and  now  that  I  know  he  is  a  musician  of  no  mean  skill,  more 
proud  and  pleased  than  ever.  We  will  practice  many  duetts  together,  An- 
gus, will  we  not,  dear  ?  " 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  93 


';  Perhaps,  sweetheart.  In  the  coming  years  there  may  be  such  happi- 
nes3  granted  to  me.  The  past  has  not  been  always  kind.  God  grant  that 
the  future  may  be  more  cheering.  I  wish  so  for  your  sake,  dear  Florence." 

She  did  not  speak,  but  allowed  her  slim  fingers  to  wander  over  the  keys 
of  the  piano.  Then  she  said,  — 

44  You  are  gloomy  and  sorrowful  tonight,  Angus.  I  thought  husbands 
were  usually  joyful  on  their  bridal  eves.  But  you  are  sad,  and  I  have  seen 
tears  in  your  eyes  more  than  once%  Am  I  to  blame  for  your  melancholy?  " 

"  Yes,  dear." 

"  In  what  respect,  Angus  ?  "  while  a  look  of  pain  passed  over  her  sweet 
face. 

'*  Your  beauty,  darling,  your  goodness,  your  trusting  innocence,  and  the 
fear  that  the  time  will  come  when  scorn  will  take  the  place  of  smiles,  and 
tears  the  place  of  love  in  your  bright  eyes." 

"You  speak  of  impossible  things,  Angus,  so  change  the  conversation,  if 
you  please.  It  is  not  to  my  liking.  I  am  your  lawful  wedded  wife,  and 
nothing  can  change  my  love,  or  shall  diminish  it,  but  one  thing." 

"  And  that  one  thing,  pet  ?  "  I  asked,  as  I  held  her  very  close  to  me. 

"  Never  mind  it  now.     I  will  tell  you  some  time." 

"  The  present  is  the  best,  little  wife.     I  wish  to  be  guarded  in  the  future." 

"  If,  in  the  fashionable  world  in  which  we  shall  move,"  Florence  said,  in  a 
low,  grave  tone,  "  you  should  see  a  face  fairer  than  mine,  and  should  be  at- 
tracted to  it,  and  should  love  it  better  than  you  now  love  me,  I  should 
grieve,  Angus,  but  I  should  not  hate  you,  or  pester  you  with  complaints  and 
wild  recriminations.  But  I  should  sorrow  and  die,  dear  husband,  and,  dy- 
ing, bless  you  for  what  you  had  been,  and  what  I  should  expect  of  you  in 
the  world  to  come,  when  we  met  never  to  know  the  pain  of  parting." 

She  laid  her  golden  head  on  my  shoulder,  and  I  heard  a  little  sob,  but  the 
next  moment  her  eyes  were  cleared  of  their  dampness,  and  a  pleasant  smile 
was  lightning  all  over  her  sunny  face. 

"  No  more,  Angus.  Let  us  speak  of  music.  Tell  me,  dear  husband,  who 
taught  you  to  play  so  well  ?  " 

"  My  mother,  pet." 

"  Your  mother,  Angus  ?  "  she  asked,  in  a  tone  of  astonishment. 

"  Yes,  darling." 

"  And  who  taught  you  to  sing  opera  music  ?  " 

"  Still  my  mother,  pet." 

"The  countess  must  have  devoted  much  time  to  you,  husband  dear.  She 
must  be  a  skillful  musician," 


94  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  My  mother  is  a  proficient  artist,''  I  answered,  quite  careful  not  to  give 
the  good  lady  the  title  to  which  she  had  no  right. 

"  And  you  were  an  apt  pupil,  Angus." 

"  Yes,  dear,  I  have  always  loved  music.  I  can  play  as  well  on  the  harp, 
as  I  can  on  the  piano,  and  I  can  torture  one  with  a  violin  occasionally." 

"  Is  it  customary  for  ladies  of  rank  in  England  to  instruct  their  sons  in 
certain  branches  of  education  ?  "  was  the  next  question. 

"  I  think  not,  sweetheart." 

"  But  your  mother  is  an  exception  to  the  rule,  Angus.  The  countess  must 
be  a  remarkable  woman." 

"  My  mother  is  a  good  woman.  Shall  I  sing  you  a  little  song  in  praise  of 
mothers,  pet  ?  " 

"  I  wish  that  you  would,  Angus." 

"  Then  do  not  press  me  quite  so  closely,  and  I  will  obey  you.  I  shall 
have  to  improvise  an  accompaniment,  for  the  lines  have  never  been  set  to 
music,  and  the  words  are  stray  ones,  without  an  owner  that  I  know  of.  Lis- 
ten, dear,  and  note  your  own  mother's  face,  and  see  if  she  appreciates  my 
singing,"  and  then  I  sang,  — 

"  There  are  words  that  speak  of  a  quenchless  love 

Which  burns  in  the  hearts  we  cherish, 
And  accents  that  tell  of  a  friendship  proved, 

That  will  never  blight  or  perish  ; 
There  are  soft  words  murmured  by  dear,  dear  lips, 

Far  richer  than  any  other ; 
But  the  sweetest  word  that  the  ear  hath  heard 

Is  the  sacred  name  of  mother. 

"  O  magical  word  !  may  it  never  die 

From  the  lips  that  love  to  speak  it ; 
Nor  melt  away  from  the  trusting  hearts 

That  even  would  break  to  keep  it 
Was  there  ever  a  name  that  lived  like  thine  ? 

Will  there  ever  be  such  another  ? 
The  angels  have  reared  in  heaven  a  shrine 

For  the  holy  name  of  mother !  " 

As  the  notes  of  the  song  died  away,  1  heard  a  sob  at  my  elbow,  and  turn- 
ing saw  Mrs.  Kebblewhite  with  a  handkerchief  to  her  eyes. 

"  My  lord,"  she   said,  "  I   have  feared  all  along  for  Florry's  happiness, 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  95 

when  placed  in  your  keeping.  I  opposed  your  marriage  with  her,  but  was 
overruled  by  my  husband,  but  now,  after  hearing  you  sing  that  song,  I  am 
satisfied  you  are  a  good  man,  and  will  love  her  as  she  deserves.  God  bless 
you  for  that  song,- and  noble  sentiment,  my  lord.  A  thousand  times  blest  is 
he  or  she  who  reveres  a  mother,  and  is  not  ashamed  of  her.  My  lord,  may 
I  kiss  your  hand  ?  " 

"No,"  I  answered,  as  she  would  have  bent  her  sweet  old  head  and  face 
to  salute  my  hand.  "  God  forbid  that  you  should  do  so.  Rather  let  me 
kneel  at  your  feet,  and  kiss  yours,  or,  if  that  does  not  suit  you,  let  me  put 
my  arms  around  you,  and  kiss  your  forehead  and  cheeks,  and  thank  you  a 
thousand  times  for  your  kind  words,  and  to  say  to  you  that  if  ever  Florence 
is  really  mine,  of  her  own  free  will,  she  shall  never  hear  ought  but  words  of 
love  and  tenderness  from  me." 

She  looked  a  little  puzzled,  but  a  remark  from  Mr.  Kebblewhite  turned  the 
current  of  her  thoughts. 

"  Sing,  my  lud,  somethin'  about  us  poor  old  daddies,  vot  'as  to  find  the 
cash  ven  our  gals  is  vedded.  Ve  is  ginerally  neglected  ven  the  spoonin'  is 
hover.  But  don't  mind  me.  I  can  stand  it,  and  I  is  too  'appy  tonight  to 
complain." 

As  all  the  company  were  listening  to  the  master  of  the  house,  and  laugh- 
ing at  his  remarks,  as  in  duty  bound,  I  took  the  occasion  to  kiss  my  mother- 
in-law,  and  in  so  hearty  a  manner  that  even  Florence  looked  a  little  sur- 
prised, and  laughingly  remarked  that  her  mother  had  lost  a  daughter,  but 
gained  a  very  demonstrative  son,  and  if  I  kissed  the  old  lady  in  such  a 
hearty  manner  every  day,  she  should  feel  a  little  touch  of  jealousy. 

"  Remember,  my  lord,"  said  Mrs.  Kebblewhite,  "  from  this  moment  I  am 
your  friend,  and  I  hope  that  I  shall  always  be  a  dear  one.  Come  what  may, 
in  me  you  will  find  a  true  mother,  and  I  shall  love  you  next  to  Florry." 

"  There  ?s  somethin'  'ot  on  the  table,"  Harry  announced.  "  Ve  is  hall 
ready  for  yer." 

"  Ah,  that  is  good  news,"  Mr.  Kebblewhite  said.  "  I  am  'ungry,  and  I 
dare  say  'is  ludship  is  a  little  peckish.  Moorsur  Allete,  vill  yer  give  yer 
arm  to  my  good  vife  ?  and  the  rest  of  yer  can  foller  his  ludship  and  lady. 
Now  then,  come  on,  and  don't  shilly  shally." 

The  old  gentleman  led  the  way  to  the  commodious  dining-room,  where  we 
found  the  table  well  covered  with  a  collation,  and  wine  in  abundance.  It 
was  plain  to  be  seen  that  my  father-in-law  was  determined  to  make  a  night 
of  it,  but  I  had  no  idea  of  indulging  in  a  drinking  bout,  and,  in  spite  of  the 
utmost  urging,  refused  to  partake  of  more  than  a  smiple  glass  of  champagne. 


96  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

I  wanted  to  have  all  my  senses  under  full  control  for  the  path  which  I  had 
determined  to  pursue,  as  soon  as  I  had  a  private  interview  with  Florence. 
I  dreaded  the  moment,  but  trusted  in  the  honesty  of  my  intentions  and 
frankness  to  carry  me  through  in  triumph. 

Florence  was  as  cheerful  and  happy  as  she  had  been  all  the  evening. 
When  she  slipped  away  from  the  table,  the  clock  on  the  mantel  was  striking 
half-past  eleven.  She  gave  my  hand  a  little  pressure  at  parting,  and  I  felt  a 
chill  strike  my  heart,  as  I  thought  how  soon  that  young,  sweet  face  was  to 
be  clouded  with  sorrow  and  surprise,  grief  and  despair. 

No  one  noticed  her  departure.  Monsieur  Allete  was  singing  the  Mar- 
sellaise  in  his  native  tongue,  and  Mr.  Kebblewhite  was  anxious  for  him  to 
conclude,  so  that  he  could  hurl  defiance  at  the  land  of  France,  and  all  the 
world,  by  yelling  Rule  Britannia,  in  such  a  boisterous  manner,  that  all  the 
cats  and  dogs  in  the  neighborhood  were  awakened,  and  had  several  fierce 
fights  in  back  yards,  to  the  scandal  of  the  neighbors,  who  knew  that  Mr. 
Kebblewhite  was  to  have  a  daughter  married  that  day,  and,  as  they  had  not 
been  invited  to  the  wedding,  thought  such  howling  and  attempted  singing  a 
disgrace  to  the  Park,  and  that  the  police  ought  to  interfere,  and  take  Mr.  K. 
and  all  his  company  to  the  station-house. 

Fortunately  for  my  ears,  I  did  not  have  to  hear  the  whole  of  Rule  Britan- 
nia. The  old  gentleman  was  red  in  the  face  with  exertion  and  wine,  and 
the  Frenchman  was  the  picture  of  calm,  deep  despair,  when  Mrs.  Kebble- 
white, standing  near  the  door,  made  a  signal  that  I  could  not  fail  to  under- 
stand. I  delayed  noticing  it  as  long  as  possible,  and  then  quietly  arose, 
drained  one  more  goblet  of  champagne,  arid  left  the  table. 

Mr.  Kebblewhite,  with  his  eyes  closed,  and  every  vein  in  his  forehead 
swollen  like  whipcords,  was  shouting  forth  to  the  world  that  Englishmen 
would  never  be  slaves,  not  if  they  knew  themselves,  so  did  not  notice  me, 
but  the  Frenchman  sighed  as  he  saw  me  move  away,  gave  one  melancholy 
smile,  and  then  appeared  to  devote  all  of  his  energies  to  the  polite  enter- 
tainment which  his  host  was  furnishing.  Young  Mr.  Kebblewhite  had  gone 
to  the  smoking-room,  and  the  rest  of  the  company  did  not  relax  their  atten- 
tion to  the  fruits  and  wines  which  were  spread  before  them.  Even  Mr. 
Murden  did  not  look  up  as  I  passed  him.  He  pretended  to  examine  the 
bubbles  in  his  wine  glass. 

"  My  lord,"  said  Mrs.  Kebblewhite,  with  a  faint,  melancholy  smile,  as  the 
tears  filled  her  gentle  eyes,  "  Florence  would  like  to  speak  to  you,  if  you  can 
spare  her  a  moment's  time." 

I  felt  all  my  blood  rush  to  my  face,  and  it  seemed  for  a  moment  as  though 


The  Belle  of  Atistralia.  97 

my  heart  ceased  to  beat,  and  that  I  should  fall  at  the  lady's  feet  insensible. 
She  noticed  the  sudden  change,  and  said  hastily,  — 

"  My  lord,  you  are  faint,  you  are  ill,  I  fear.  Shall  I  call  some  one  to  your 
assistance  ? '' 

"  No,  no,  do  not  mind  me.  I  am  accustomed  to  such  spells.  It  will  soon 
be  over.  Do  not  call  any  one.  I  wanted  to  speak  to  you  for  a  moment. 
You  are  kind,  and  remind  me  of  my  own  blessed  mother." 

"  How  1  wish  that  she  were  here  tonight  to  share  your  happiness,"  the 
good  lady  remarked. 

"  God  forbid  that  she  should  be  here  to  witness  my  misery  ! "  I  cried,  and 
then,  noticing  the  look  of  pain  on  the  lady's  face,  1  added,  "  I  do  not  mean 
that  your  daughter  is  not  loved  by  me.  1  do  love  her  so  dearly,  so  truly 
that  even  you  cannot  complain/' 

"  Then  why  are  you  not  happy  ?  You  are  married.  You  are  young  and 
wealthy,  and  can  purchase  all  the  pleasures  of  the  world  if  you  desire.  Be 
a  true  and  good  husband  to  my  child,  and  we  shall  all  be  happy,  —  ;  ou  as 
well  as  the  rest  of  us." 

"  Can't  you  understand  me  ?  "  I  cried,  taking  her  hands,  and  leading  her 
to  the  other  end  -of  the  drawing-room,  where  no  one  could  overhear  us,  and 
where  we  could  look  out  upon  the  Park,  and  the  bright  moonlight. 

"  No,  I  do  not  understand  you,  my  lord/'  with  a  wondering  look,  as  though 
she  feared  I  was  insane,  or  had  suddenly  lost  my  senses  through  drink. 

"  I  know  that  you  think  me  mad,"  I  said,  "  but  rest  assured  I  am  not.  I 
am  just  as  sane  this  moment  as  you -are.  O  mother,  mother,  see  me  here 
on  my  knees  at  your  feet,  begging  your  pardon,  and  praying  for  one  word  of 
consolation,  one  word  of  encouragement,  at  your  hands." 

*'  My  lord,  do  not  kneel  to  me.  Arise,  and  tell  me  all  your  troubles. 
What  consolation  can  I  afford  ?  Have  you  been  imprudent  and  reckless  in 
the  past  ?  Then  atone  for  it  by  the  future,  as  even  the  blackest  sin  can  be 
washed  away  by  repentance  and  deep  humiliation." 

"  Thank  God,  O  my  mother,  if  you  will  let  me  call  you  such,  no  serious 
crimes  can  be  charged  to  me.  Your  daughter  is  the  first  one  that  ever 
moved  my  heart,  or  whom  I  ever  loved." 

"  Here,  be  seated  on  this  sofa,  and  let  me  know  what  is  oppressing  your 
mind  and  heart.  Confess  all  to  me,  and  be  certain  of  an  advanced  pardon. 
Call  me  mother,  if  you  will,  and  be  assured  you  shall  have  a  mother's  love, 
and  a  mother's  sympathy." 

She  led  me  to  a  sofa,  and,  as  we  seated  ourselves,  the  dear  old  lady  took 
one  of  my  hands,  held  it  for  a  moment  in  both  of  her  own,  and  then  asked,  — 
7 


98  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  My  lord,  answer  me  one  question  before  I  attempt  to  console  you.  Is 
.this  repentance,  this  unhappiness,  the  result  of  anything  which  you  have 
heard  concerning  my  husband's  previous  life  ?  " 

"  No,  mother,  1  know  nothing  about  his  previous  life,  and  care  but  little 
for  it,"  I  answered. 

"Would  it  make  any  difference  in  regard  to  your  course  toward  my  daugh- 
ter if  you  had  heard  something  not  forgotten  to  this  day,  although  the  deed 
was  committed  years  ago  ?  " 

"  No,  I  love  Florence  dearly.  All  surroundings  are  forgotten  when  I 
think  of  her  sweet  face." 

"Then  Mr.  Murden  has  not  imparted  the  information  which,  as  Chief  of 
Police,  he  possesses,  concerning  my  family,  or,  rather,  the  head  of  it  ?  "  she 
asked. 

"  No ;  he  merely  spoke  of  Mr.  Kebblewhite  as  a  merchant,  and  a  man  of 
g6od  standing  in  Melbourne." 

She  seemed  to  breathe  a  sigh  of  relief  as  I  answered  her  questions,  and 
once  more  her  white,  thin  hand  sought  mine,  and  clasped  it  quite  firmly, 
and  then  she  would  have  raised  it  to  her  lips  had  I  permitted  her  to  do  so. 
I  like  to  kiss  a  lady's  hand,  but  to  have  a  lady  kiss  mine  is  a  little  too  much 
for  endurance. 

"  Now,  my  lord,  you  have  answered  all  of  my  questions  in  a  frank  and 
noble  spirit.  I  feared  that  you  had  learned  some  facts  which  I  could  have 
wished  had  never  occurred,  or  at  least  had  been  forgotten.  The  memory  of 
the  people  of  Melbourne  is  long,  and  those  who  seek  for  a  higher  station  in 
life  are  not  forgotten  by  men  who  have  not  the  ambition  or  the  ability  to 
rise  beyond  the  level  of  the  common  herd  of  the  city." 

"  Will  you  not  tell  me  of  this  stain  which  you  say  rests  upon  Mr.  Kebble- 
white's  name  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  No,  my  son.  You  will  learn  of  it  some  day,  I  have  no  doubt,  and  that 
will  be  time  enough  to  embitter  a  portion  of  your  life." 

"  And  Florence,  does  she  know  the  great  secret?  "  I  demanded. 

"  No,  thank  God  !  the  dear  child  is  still  in  ignorance  of  the  blot  that  rests 
upon  our  now  good  name.  It  has  been  kept  from  her,  and  I  hope  will  he 
until  the  day  of  her  death.  She  is  proud  and  loving,  and  it  would  crush  her 
to  the  earth.  Your  strong  arm  and  heart  must  support  her,  my  lord,  if  she 
should  be  enlightened  before  she  leaves  her  home  for  your  own." 

"  My  own  dear  mother,"  I  said,  after  a  moment's  pause,  "  I,  too,  have  a 
secret,  and  a  more  dreadful  one  than  you  can  impart.  This  evening  you 
said  that  you  would  be  my  friend.  Do  you  still  adhere  to  that  resolution  ? 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  99 

Do  you  still  say  that  under  all  circumstances  you  will  be  a  mother  to  me, 
and  a  friend  at  all  times  ?  " 

"  I  have  seen  nothing  to  change  my  views.  In  fact,  my  lord,  I  can  say 
with  mo.e  confidence  than  before,  that  I  am  your  friend,  and  your  mother," 

"Then  cease  to  call  me  a  lord,  for  I  have  no  right  to  the  title." 

"  How,  my  lord  ?     Do  you  speak  in  jest,  or  in  earnest  ?  " 

"In  most  serious  earnestness,  I  assure  you." 

"  But  I  have  seen  you  in  the  house  a  dozen  times,  and  you  were  intro- 
duced to  Florence  at  the  goverenor's  ball  as  the  Earl  of  Afton,  and  by  the 
governor  himself,  as  well  as  Mr.  Mattocks." 

"  Nevertheless,  my  dear  mother,  I  am  not  a  lord,  and  I  never  entered  this 
house  until  this  evening.  I  never  saw  your  daughter  until  she  entered  the 
drawing-room  in  her  bridal  costume,  and  then  I  fell  in  love  with  her  at  the 
first  sight." 

"  My  lord,  are  you  sane  ?  "  the  lady  asked. 

"  Perfectly,  and  very  unhappy  ;  but  I  will  do  justice  to  your  daughter,  and 
to  you,  even  if  it  breaks  my  heart." 

"  And  your  name  ?  "  asked  the  startled  and  bewildered  woman. 

"  Angus  Mornington." 

"  Why  that  is  the  name  of  the  Earl  of  Afton.  Pray,  my  lord,  do  not  be 
merry  at  the  expense  of  an  unhappy  woman,  whose  head  is  almost  turned 
by  the  events  of  the  evening." 

"  God  forbid  that  I  should  trifle  with  your  holy  feelings,  but  Angus  Morn- 
ington is  my  name,  and  under  that  name  was  I  married  to  your  daughter. 
She  is  my  lawful  wife,  but  still  I  solemnly  vow  to  you  that  I  will  not  take 
advantage  of  the  events  which  have  forced  me  to  be  her  husband. n 

"  Impossible,"  Mrs.  Kebblewhite  exclaimed.  "  You  must  be  deceiving 
me,  and  for  a  purpose." 

"  I  swear  to  you  that  such  is  not  the  case.  Do  you  think  that  if  I  was 
the  Earl  of  Afton  I  would  be  here,  talking  with  the  mother,  when  I  could  be 
with  the  daughter,  my  wife,  whom  I  dearly  love  ?" 

%i  And  the  earl,  who  resembles  you  so  much, — did  you  ever  meet  with 
him  ? "'  asked  the  mother,  who  appeared  to  see  that  my  reasoning  was  good. 

'•  Only  for  a  moment.  I  saw  a  man  this  evening  who  was  enough  like  me 
in  feature,  form,  and  height  to  be  my  twin  brother.  He  was  hurried  into  a 
carriage,  and  told  to  leave  the  city,  and  never  return.  He  was  addressed 
as  '  my  lord  '  by  his  companions." 

••  Why  did  you  not  explain  everything  as  soon  as  you  entered  the  house  ?" 
asked  the  mother,  tears  making  their  appearance  on  her  pale  cheeks. 


too  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  Simply  because  your  amiable  husband  called  for  his  pistols  and  a  nulla, 
and  would  not  listen  to  me  for  a  moment  when  I  explained.  Even  the 
Chief  of  Police  shared  in  the  deception." 

"  Angus,"  said  Mrs.  Kebblewhite,  trembling,  while  she  made  desperate 
efforts  to  prevent  her  agitation,  "  I  am  not  entirely  convinced  by  your  words, 
yet  I  do  not  believe  that  you  would  deceive  me  willfully.  If  my  daughter  is 
not  a  countess,  who  is  she,  in  Heaven's  name? " 

"  The  wife  of  an  American  citizen,  madame,  and  an  honest  man." 

"  Are  you  rich  ? " 

"  No,  I  am  poor,  unfortunately." 

"  If  you  were  rich  all  might  be  well.  Mr.  Kebblewhite  could  be  brought 
around  to  view  you  with  favor  when  he  found  that  it  was  too  late  to  object. 
He  hates  Americans." 

"  Then  we  are  equal,  madame.  I  detest  an  Englishman  who  does  not  pre- 
fer a  good  man  as  the  husband  of  his  daughter,  to  a  blase  noble,  who  makes 
love  to  every  woman  he  meets,  and  then  flies  when  a  wedding  is  talked  of." 

"  It  will  break  Florry's  heart,"  moaned  the  mother.  "  Oh,  what  can  I  do  ? 
Oh,  what  can  I  say?  Let  me  call  Mr.  Kebblewhite,  and  explain  all  to 
him." 

"  And  have  him  riddle  me  with  his  pistols,  and  pound  me  with  his  con- 
founded nulla.  No,  he  must  know  nothing  of  ail  this.  To  you  and  Flor- 
ence I  confide  it.  In  one  half  hour  I  shall  leave  this  house,  and  never  return, 
unless  as  a  rich  man  to  claim  my  wife.  If  I  do  not  come  back  at  the  end  of  a 
year,  or  less,  let  her  obtain  a  divorce,  and  be  free  to  marry  one  more  worthy 
of  her." 

"  Oh,  cruel,  cruel  fate  for  my  poor  child,"  moaned  the  unhappy  mother. 
"  Oh,  harsh,  unfeeling  man  to  leave  her  as  you  intend  to  on  the  night  of 
her  nuptials." 

"  Because  it  is  death  for  me  to  remain.  In  a  day  or  two  the  deception 
would  be  discovered,  your  husband  would  murder  me,  and  your  daughter 
despise  me.  I  prefer  death  to  her  contempt  and  scorn,  but  I  will  not  meet 
both.  Give  me  a  brief  interview  with  my  wife,  and  then  good-by,  perhaps 
forever." 

The  good  woman  put  her  arms  around  my  neck,  kissed  my  forehead,  and 
then,  with  tears  flowing  from  her  eyes,  said,  — 

"  Go  to  her.  She  is  in  the  front  room  ;  the  one  over  this.  God  bless 
you,  O  my  son,  for  I  feel  all  a  mother's  love  for  you,  and  always  shall. 
But  my  heart  will  break  when  I  think  of  Florry." 


GOOD-BY,   DEAR    FLORENCE,"   I   SAID,   AND   KISSED   HER  WHITE   HAND. 


PART  V. 

A    SHORT    PRIVATE   INTERVIEW    WITH    MY    WIFE.  —  I    MAKE    SOME    EXPLA- 
NATIONS,   WHICH    ARE    NOT     WELL    RECEIVED.  —  A    PLEA    FOR 
PARDON,    AND    A    REFUSAL.  —  LEAVING    THE    HOUSE 
BY    THE    AID   OF   A    TREE.  —  MR.    MURDEN 
AND     HIS    PLAIN     TALK.  —  A 
LONG   FAREWELL. 

MRS.  KEBBLEWHITE  had  informed  me  as  to  the  location  of  my  wife's 
apartments,  but,  as  I  started  for  the  broad  hall  and  stairs  leading  to 
the  chamber,  I  felt  so  dazed  at  the  thought  of  the  interview,  that  I  stagger- 
ed, and  would  have  fallen,  had  not  the  kind  lady  lent  me  her  arm  for  a  sup- 
port. For  a  moment  I  was  motionless,  and  tried  to  collect  my  wandering 
senses,  so  that  I  could  carry  out  to  a  final  conclusion  the  course  which 
I  had  marked  out.  Then  I  was  aroused  by  the  lady  saying,  — 


TO2  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  Angus,  my  son,  you  are  not  equal  to  the  task.  Rest  here  until  you  are 
more  composed.  You  are  faint  and  pale,  and  all  of  a  tremble.  Think  bet- 
ter of  your  purpose,  and  forego  this  interview  so  painful  to  you  and  to 
Florence." 

"  No,"  I  said,  with  an  effort.  "  I  must  do  my  duty.  O  mother,  for  I 
must  call  you  by  that  dear  name,  bless  me,  and  pity  me,  for  I  need  both  in 
this  hour  of  utter  wretchedness." 

She  laid  her  thin  white  hand  on  my  head,  and  I  saw  her  lips  move,  and  I 
knew  that  she  had  granted  my  request,  and  was  blessing  one  whom  she 
would  have  been  proud  to  call  her  son  under  other  circumstances. 

"  Go,"  she  whispered,  "  and  may  God  bless  you,  my  dear  boy,  be  you  no- 
bleman or  plebeian." 

I  gained  courage  from  her  simple  words,  and  was  leaving  her,  when  she 
asked,  — 

"  Are  you  sure,  Angus,  that  you  can  trust  yourself  alone  with  Florence  ? 
Do  you  not  fear  that  you  will  yield  to  her  tears,  and  rare  beauty  ?  A  man 
must  be  very  firm  to  withstand  both." 

"  My  mother  taught  me  to  be  honorable  and  truthful  above  all  things.  I 
have  not  forgotten  her  early  teachings.  I  will  not  prove  false  to  them  at 
this  late  day.  Do  not  fear  for  me  or  Florence.  With  your  blessing,  and 
your  confidence,  I  can  endure  much,  and  suffer  much." 

She  sighed,  and  wiped  the  tears  from  her  eyes,  and  motioned  me  to  leave 
her.  As  I  passed  from  the  drawing-room,  I  saw  Mr.  Murden.  the  Chief  of 
Police,  near  the  hat-rack,  as  though  searching  for  his  cap.  He  looked  up  as 
he  saw  me,  and  a  smile  of  peculiar  significance  passed  over  his  stern,  dark 
face.  Had  he  played  the  part  of  an  eavesdropper,  and  heard  all  that  oc- 
curred between  Mrs.  Kebblewhite  and  myself?  I  thought  that  such  was 
the  case,  for  he  looked  at  me  very  intently,  and  said,  — 

"  Good-night,  my  lord,  and  pleasant  dreams.  I  hope  that  I  shall  have  the 
happiness  of  again  meeting  you  at  some  distant  day.  This  has  been  an 
evening  of  rare  enjoyment  to  me,  and  to  your  lordship  am  I  indebted  .for 
all  of  it." 

I  did  not  answer  him.  I  was  in  no  mood  for  banter,  even  from  Mr.  Mur 
den.  I  bowed,  and  would  have  passed  on,  but  just  at  that  moment  he 
seemed  to  have  found  his  cap,  and  came  near  me. 

"  Remember,"  he  whispered,  "  not  one  word  about  the  diamond  ring,  and 
Kitty.  You  can  rely  on  me  to  keep  your  secret,  and  to  see  that  she  does 
not  disturb  your  honeymoon.  I  will  put  a  detective  on  her  track,  and  keep 
her  away  from  this  house,  and  from  you,  until  ready  to  leave  Melbourne. 


The  Belle  of  Aiistralia.  103 

There  is  no  fear  of  discovery,  I  think,  if  you  are  not  too  confiding,  and  I  do 
not  suppose  that  you  are  one  to  blab  everything  to  your  wife.  Good-night, 
my  lord,"  and  he  bowed  low,  as  he  opened  the  outer  door,  and  glided  out  of 
the  house  into  the  moonlight,  and  I  heard  his  footsteps  on  the  gravel  walk, 
and  a  faint  blast  from  his  whistle. 

I  paused  at  the  foot  of  the  hard,  polished  stairs,  as  brilliant  as  a  mirror, 
and  wondered  how  a  Chief  of  Police  could  have  such  consummate  impu- 
dence as  to  talk  to  an  innocent  man  in  that  manner.  Just  as  though  Miss 
Kitty  had  been  anything  to  me  or  I  to  her.  Mr.  Kebblewhite  was  still  in 
the  dining  room  with  the  Frenchman  and  the  rest  of  the  guests  ;  and  my  re- 
spected father-in-law  was  roaring  out,  in  tones  so  deep  and  awful  that  the 
gas  flickered  in  the  chandeliers,  and  the  very  foundations  of  the  house  seem- 
ed to  shake,  and  the  roof  to  rise,  the  noble  and  ear-splitting  ballad  of,  — 

"  There  she  lay,  hall  that  day, 
In  the  Bay  of  Biscay,  oh  !  " 

I  imagined  the  keen  anguish  of  Monsieur  Allete,  and  mentally  thanked 
Heaven  that  there  were  people  just  as  miserable  as  myself  for  the  time  be- 
ing, although  I  did  hear  roars  of  applause  at  the  conclusion  of  each  verse, 
and  I  judged  that  the  party  was  very  drunk  to  encourage  such  wretched 
travesty  of  singing.  Even  the  cats  and  dogs  were  again  awakened  by  the 
noise,  and  renewed  their  yells,  and  barks,  and  fights,  with  much  animation, 
and  a  proportional  amount  of  profanity  from  the  neighbors,  who  once  more 
voted  Mr.  Kebblewhite  a  mean  pig,  and  a  person  who  would  rob  a  China- 
man, if  he  had  the  chance. 

"  You  still  hesitate,  Angus  ?  "  asked  Mrs.  Kebblewhite.  who  came  to  the 
door  of  the  drawing-room,  and  saw  that  I  had  ascended  but  three  steps  of 
the  stairs. 

"  Yes,  mother,  but  I  will  hesitate  no  longer,"  I  answered  in  a  resolute 
tone. 

I  set  my  teeth  together  as  though  about  to  submit  to  a  surgical  operation, 
and  up  the  stairs  I  passed,  with  a  strange  fluttering  at  my  heart,  and  a  cold 
perspiration  standing  on  my  forehead.  At  the  landing  I  met  a  pretty  little 
girl  (one  of  the  housemaids),  who  seemed  to  have  been  stationed  there  to 
welcome  me.  and  to  point  out  the  apartments  which  my  wife  occupied.  I 
recollect  that  I  stopped  suddenly,  and  looked  at  the  blushing  and  smiling 
little  thing,  who  courtesied,  and  stole  a  timid  glance  at  my  face,  and  I 
thought  she  deserved  a  reward  for  her  politeness  and  vigilance, 


104  Tke  Belle  of  Australia. 

"O  my  lud,"  she  said,  " 'er  ladyship  is  in  that  front  room,  and  she  is 
wery  himpatient  to  speak  to  yer." 

"  Thank  you,  child,"  I  remarked,  although  she  was  older  than  myself,  and 
then  I  placed  a  sovereign  in  her  hand,  and,  as  she  looked  up  with  a  grateful 
smile,  and  a  blush  of  pleasure,  bent  down,  and  kissed  her  sweet  lips.  I 
was  not  accountable  for  the  act,  for  I  did  not  know  what  I  was  doing  just  at 
that  time,  my  mind  was  so  distracted. 

"  O  my  lud,  that  vos  wery  sweet  and  kind  on  yer  part,"  the  girl  said. 
"  Yer  can  'ave  two  for  a  sov.  if  yer  vants  'em." 

The  temptation  was  strong,  but  I  recollected  that  I  was  a  husband,  and  a 
very  unhappy  one,  so  waived  my  right,  and  knocked  at  the  door  of  my  wife's 
apartment. 

"  Come  in,"  a  gentle  voice  said,  and,  opening  the  door,  I  stood  in  the 
presence  of  Florence.  She  had  laid  aside  her  heavy  satin  dress  and  laces, 
and  now  her  white  shoulders  and  arms  were  covered  with  a  blue  silk  peig- 
noir, cut  loose,  but  not  so  as  to  conceal  her  exquisite  form,  and  the  round- 
ness of  her  arms  and  neck.  Her  hair,  so  beautiful  and  luxuriant,  and  rich  in 
hue,  was  unconfined  by  comb  or  pins,  and  fell  in  a  shower  of  burnished 
-gold  all  around  neck  and  shoulders,  and  far  below  her  slight  waist.  She 
was  seated  in  an  easy-chair  as  I  entered,  but  arose,  and  came  forward  to 
greet  me  with  outstretched  arms. 

"  I  was  fearful  that  papa's  singing  was  more  attractive  than  your  wife," 
she  said,  with  a  pleasant  little  laugh,  as  though  she  did  not  believe  her  own 
words.  "  When  papa  once  commences  on  his  sea  ballads  he  never  knows 
when  to  leave  off,  and  is  offended  if  his  listeners  are  not  as  pleased  as  him- 
self. I  feared  that  he  would  bore  you,  so  sent  for  you.  Forgive  me,  will 
you  not,  dear  Angus,  dear  husband  ?  " 

She  put  her  arms  on  my  shoulders,  and  laid  her  fair  head  on  my  bosom, 
and  looked  up  with  such  a  gentle,  winning  smile,  that  I  feared  for  my  good 
resolution,  and  once  more  grew  faint  and  sick  at  heart. 

"  You  do  not  speak  to  me,  Angus,"  she  said,  after  a  moment's  silence, 
finding  that  I  did  not  respond  to  her  caresses.  "  Have  you  so  soon  tired  of 
your  little  wife  ?  " 

"  No,  Florence,  I  should  never  tire  of  you,  dear,"  and  I  kissed  her  pure 
forehead,  and  held  her  for  a  moment  to  my  heart,  and  wished  I  was  what  I 
seemed. 

But  such  happiness  was  not  for  me,  and,  with  a  groan  of  anguish,  I  re- 
leased her,  and  stepped  back. 

"  Why,  what  is  the  matter  with  you,  Angus  ?  "   she  asked,  her  large  blue 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  10$ 

eyes  filling  with  tears  at  my  sudden  coldness.  "  Are  you  511  ?  Has  papa's 
champagne  disagreed  with  you  ?  or  are  you  sorry  that  you  have  given  me 
your  name,  so  distinguished  through  a  long  line  of  illustrious  ancestors  ?  " 

"  If  I  had  descended  from  the  royal  family  of  Great  Britain,  I  should  feel 
proud  of  your  love,  Florence,  and  proud  that  you  were  my  wife,"  I  answer- 
ed. "But"  — 

"  Yes,  but  what,  you  silly  boy  ?  "  with  a  glad  light  in  her  beautiful  eyes. 

"  But  I  am  not  what  you  suppose  me  to  be,  sweet  one,  and,  in  spite  of 
your  scorn  and  contempt,  I  am  about  to  enlighten  you  on  your  marriage  re- 
lation." 

"  Am  I  not  your  lawful  wife  ?  "  she  asked. 

"Yes,  dear,  I  think  you  are." 

"And"  — 

She  hesitated  for  a  moment,  as  though  she  would  find  the  right  word,  re- 
pugnant though  it  might  be. 

"  And  am  I  your  only  wife,  Angus  ?  Have  you  deceived  me  in  that 
respect  ?  " 

"  God  forlid,  darling.  I  never  loved  before  I  loved  you.  I  never  wedded 
until  your  little  white  hand  was  placed  in  mine.  I  would  not  exchange  you 
for  all  the  women  in  the  world.  I  would  not  lose  you  for  all  the  gold  of 
Australia." 

She  uttered  a  glad  cry,  and  sprang  toward  me,  and  threw  her  arms  around 
my  neck. 

"  O  Angus,  my  lord,  my  husband,  I  will  hear  of  no  more  explanations. 
You  love  me,  you  are  my  own,  and  no  power  shall  take  you  from  me.  If 
you  have  been  guilty  of  boyish  follies,  I  forgive  them,  and  do  not  wish  to 
hear  of  them.  I  want  no  confession,  except  the  confession  of  your  love,  no 
repentance,  except  the  thought  that  we  had  not  met  sooner,  no  kisses,  ex- 
cept those  you  bestow,  as  I  am  certain  that  you  would  not  care  for  any  lips 
but  mine." 

I  winced  a  little,  and  hoped  that  the  little  girl  whom  I  had  met  at  the 
head  of  the  stairs  would  forget  all  about  my  confounded  fit  of  momentary 
abstraction,  when  I  was  not  accountable  for  my  doings. 

"  Florence,"  I  said,  "you  are  a  brave  little  darling,  and  deserve  happiness, 
and  as  good  and  kind  and  loving  husband  as  I  should  make;  but,  my  dear, 
you  must  hear  me,  and  pay  strict  attention  to  my  words,  for  they  are  impor- 
tant." 

"  Yes,"  she  answered,  and  looked  up  at  me  with  a  half-frightened  expres- 
sion on  her  face. 


io6  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  I  have  no  follies  to  answer  for,"  I  continued,  "  but  I  have  a  confession 
to  make." 

"  No,  no,  I  will  not  hear  it,"  and  she  put  her  white  hands  over  her  little 
pink  ears. 

"  My  dear,  you  must  not  be  childish  in  this  case,"  I  said,  as  sternly  as  I 
could.  "  Come,  sit  down  here,  in  this  large  easy-chair,  and  let  me,  standing 
by  your  side,  tell  you  all  that  is  on  my  mind,  and  how  cruelly  you  have  been 
deceived." 

"  No,  no,  I  will  hear  nothing,  Angus.  Do  not  make  me  unhappy  by 
speaking  of  things  which  do  not  interest  me.  You  are  doing  all  this  to 
tease  your  poor  little  wife,  and  it  is  not  kind.  How  would  you  like  to  have 
me  pester  you  by  telling  you  of  my  old  beaux?  Would  you  be  jealous  ? 
Do  you  really  love  me  enough  to  be  jealous  of  me,  Angus  ?  Oh,  that  is  so 
jolly.  Why,  you  silly  boy,  I  never  loved  any  one  until  1  loved  you,  although 
I  have  flirted  a  little,  just  a  little,  you  know,  for  the  innocent  fun  of  the 
thing." 

"And  how  much  with  Mr.  Mattocks,  darling?"  and  I  smiled  a  little  at 
her  eager  face. 

"  Oh,  you  are  there,  are  you,  Angus  ?  This  accounts  for  the  grave  face, 
and  sober  brow.  You  have  heard  in  some  way  that  Mr.  Mattocks  paid  me 
marked  attention  at  one  time,  and  would  have  married  me,  I  think,  if  I  had 
encouraged  him  to  make  a  proposal.  But  I  could  not  love  him,  and  he  saw 
it,  and,  like  the  gentleman  that  he  is,  soon  ceased  to  make  only  the  most 
formal  of  calls.  Still  I  think  he  is  friendly,  and  do  not  believe  that  he 
would  speak  of  me  in  any  other  way  than  as  a  good  and  pleasant  young 
lady." 

"  I  do  not  doubt  it,  deary,  but  I  never  heard  of  your  flirtation  with  Mr. 
Mattocks,  or  any  other  man.  After  you  have  listened  to  me,  you  will,  per- 
haps, regret  that  you  did  not  take  him  instead  of  waiting  for  me." 

"  Never,  Angus,"  and  she  put  up  her  red  lips  for  a  kiss. 

I  was  just  weak  enough  to  respond  to  her  mute  appeal.  I  was  sorry,  but 
could  not  help  it,  and  resolved  to  be  firmer  the  next  time. 

"  One  more,"  she  said,  as  I  seated  her  in  the  chair,  and  sat  down  at  her 
feet,  on  a  hassock,  in  obedience  to  her  commands. 

Ah,  well,  it  was  not  worth  disputing  about  one  little  kiss,  even  if  it  was  so 
precious  to  me.  I  knew  that  it  would  be  a  long  time  before  I  should  get  an- 
other supply,  if  I  pursued  the  course  which  I  had  determined  upon,  but  I 
began  to  fear  that  I  should  \\avcr  and  fail  in  my  purpose. 

"  My  dear  Florence,"  I  said,  taking  her  hand,  and  kissing  it  very  tenderly, 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  107 


'•  I  want  you  to  pardon  me  for  what  I  have  done,  and  to  believe  that  I 
was  forced  by  circumstances  over  which  I  had  no  control  to  come  here  to- 
night, and  unite  your  fortunes  with  mine/' 

"  Sir,  my  lord  !  "  a  little  bitterly,  and  a  surprised  and  grieved  look. 

I  knew  that  she  would  put  on  the  dignity,  but  I  did  not  think  that  she 
would  display  so  much  feeling  when  she  heard  my  plain,  blunt  words. 

She  withdrew  her  hand  from  mine,  and  looked  at  me  with  an  offended 
air. 

"  Do  I  understand  you,  Angus,  that  you  would  not  have  married  me  of 
your  own  free  will »  " 

"  Not  tonight,  love."    • 

She  started  up,  and  covered  her  face  with  her  hands,  but  I  could  see  the 
tears  stealing  down  her  cheeks,  and  knew, that  her  pure  heart  was  wounded 
at  my  words. 

"  Florence,"  I  said,  as  I  once  more  attempted  to  take  her  hand,  and  con- 
sole her,  "  I  am  pained  to  grieve  you,  but  I  must  tell  you  all.  It  is  to  save 
you  many  days  of  misery  and  reproach  that  I  now  speak." 

"  You  do  not  love  me,  you  are  ashamed  of  me,  because  I  am  not  of  as  no- 
ble birth  as  yourself.  O  Angus,  how  can  you  treat  me  in  such  a  heartless 
manner?  "  and  she  firmly  resisted  my  efforts  to  take  her  hand,  or  to  put  an 
arm  around  her  slight  waist. 

Here  was  a  pretty  position  for  a  young  bridegroom,  who  loved  his  wife 
most  devotedly,  would  be  unhappy  while  absent  from  her  side,  and  yet 
would  be  very  miserable  if  he  dared  to  remain  with  her,  and  let  the  deceit 
go  undiscovered  for  a  few  days.  For  a  moment  the  thought  flashed  through 
my  mind  to  run  the  risk  of  detection.  If  I  resembled  the  earl  so  closely 
why  could  I  not  declare  that  I  was  his  lordship,  and  so  let  the  future  take 
care  of  itself  ?  But  no,  I  had  promised  Mrs.  Kebblewhite  that  I  would  be 
true  to  my  manhood,  true  to  her  daughter,  and  true  to  the  pledge  which  I 
had  given  before  I  entered  the  chamber.  I  banished  all  unworthy  thoughts 
as  suddenly  as  they  had  appeared,  and  resolved  that  I  would  not  deviate 
from  the  moral  teachings  of  my  respected  mother.  I  would  do  nothing  that 
would  cause  her  to  blush  for  her  only  child,  great  as  the  temptation  might 
be,  and,  Heaven  knows,  never  was  man  so  tempted  before,  it  seemed  to  me 
at  the  time. 

'•  Dear  Florence,"  I  said,  as  she  repulsed  me.  "  you  say  that  I  do  not  love 
you.  O  my  love,  my  wife,  if  you  could  but  see  my  heart,  and  know  the  pain 
that  it  gives  me  to  speak  to  you  as  I  do,  you  would  pity  me,  and  help  me 
bear  the  heavy  cross  that  is  now  weighing  me  down,  and  crushing  out  all 


io8  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


that  is  joyous  and  bright  from  my  young  life,"  and  then  I  felt  the  tears  flow 
from  my  eyes,  much  as  I  attempted  to  restrain  them. 

She  heard  me  in  silence,  but,  as  I  proceeded,  she  removed  her  white 
hands  from  her  eyes,  and  looked  at  me  with  a  more  pleasant  glance,  and 
then  ran  toward  me,  and  threw  her  arms  around  my  neck,  and  once  more 
nestled  her  fair  head  on  my  bosom. 

"  O  Angus,"  she  cried,  "  you  do  love  me.  Tell  me  that  I  am  not  mis- 
taken, that  your  heart  is  firmly  mine,  and  that  you  are  not  ashamed  of  me 
because  you  are  a  great  lord,  and  1  only  a  plebeian." 

"  My  darling,"  I  said,  "  the  tears  which  you  now  see  in  my  eyes  are 
proof  positive  that  you  are  loved  so  dearly  that  no  other  woman  will  ever 
find  a  lodgement  in  my  bosom.  O  sweetheart,  I  could  even  now  fall  down 
and  worship  you,  happy  if  you  but  bestowed  a  single  thought  on  me,  happy 
and  content  with  an  occasional  smile,  and  doubly  happy  if  you  would  but 
lay  your  hand  on  my  head,  and  call  me  the  best  and  dearest  friend  in  the 
world.  Do  not  doubt  my  love,  Florence.  It  is  fixed  and  immovable.  It  is 
not  a  changeable,  boy's  love,  but  that  of  a  strong  man,  and  as  a  man  I  must 
resist  it." 

"  What  do  mean,  Angus  ?  "  and  she  started  back,  and  looked  at  me  with 
renewed  surprise. 

"  The  first  time  I  saw  you,  when  you  entered  the  drawing-room  this  even- 
ing, dressed  in  all  your  bridal  finery,  and  looking  like  an  angel  of  beauty  and 
mercy,  your  bright  eyes  pierced  my  heart  like  a  dagger,  and  I  felt  you  were 
one  whom  I  could  love  forever  and  forever,  and,  dying,  bless.  O  sweet ! 
when  I  felt  your  white  arms  around  my  neck,  and  knew  that  you  were  a  liv- 
ing, breathing  woman,  and  not  a  visitor  from  heaven,  I  could  not  realize 
that  there  was  a  man  in  all  the  world  so  base  as  to  trifle  with  your  affections, 
or  to  deceive  you." 

*'  Trifle  with  me  ?  deceive  me?"  she  asked,  in  a  trembling  voice.  "  An- 
gus, what  do  you  mean?  You  speak  in  a  mysterious  tone  and  manner,  as 
though  some  great  wrong  had  been  perpetrated.  What  wrong  have  I  suf- 
fered except  your  failure  to  appear  at  the  appointed  bridal  hour?  and  that 
you  know,  dear,  was  not  your  fault,  but  a  silly  joke  on  the  part  of  some 
young  men.  I  have  forgiven  you  for  all  that,  because  I  know  that  you  will 
be  more  guarded  in  the  future.  Come,  dear,  clear  your  brow  of  its  clouds, 
and  let  me  see  you  smile  once  more,  as  you  can  smile  when  you  are  happy. 
You  know  when  you  asked  me  to  be  your  wife  I  hesitated,  because  I  did 
not  know  my  heart,  and  I  did  not  love  you  then,  Angus.  I  confess  it  now, 
dear  husband  ;  but  I  was  ambitious,  and  I  wanted  to  be  a  countess,  and  to 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  109 

wear  a  coronet,  and  large  diamonds,  and  to  be  at  the  head  of  fashionable 
society,  and  have  all  the  young  girls  of  my  set  envious  of  my  good  position 
and  fortune.  You  know  what  I  said  to  you,  Angus,  when  you  asked  for  my 
hand  ?  " 

I  did  n't  know  because  I  was  not  present  at  that  important  interview. 
How  I  wished  that  I  had  been  there,  instead  of  the  other  fellow.  I  made 
no  reply,  and  she  continued,  — 

••  I  told  you  that  I  did  not  love  you  then,  our  acquaintance  had  been  so 
recent,  but  that  I  esteemed  you,  and  would  try  and  love  you  as  soon  as  I 
became  your  wife.  I  did  love  the  title,  Angus,  and  it  was  very  wrong  in  me 
to  seek  it,  but  now  I  love  you,  dear,  and  even  if  you  had  no  title,  I  should 
still  love  you.  Are  you  satisfied,  you  silly  boy  ?  " 

••  More  than  satisfied,  darling.  It  shows  me  what  a  treasure  you  are, 
and  what  a  noble  heart  you  possess." 

"  And,  Angus,"  she  continued,  with  a  pretty  blush,  "  do  you  know,  dear, 
that  since  I  saw  you  this  evening,  I  have  learned  to  love  you  very  dearly. 
You  appear  so  manly,  and  yet  so  gentle,  so  respectful  and  tender,  and  not 
as  one  who  presumes  on  his  rank.  I  have  noticed  a  difference,  love,  and 
yet  I  do  not  know  how  to  account  for  it.  Will  you  always  be  as  you  are  to- 
night, Angus?"  and  her  lips  were  put  up  for  another  kiss,  and  I  had  to 
give  way  to  the  temptation. 

"  Yes,  dear,  I  hope  to  be.  In  your  presence  even  a  savage  would  be  def- 
erential." 

••  You  are  kind  to  say  so  :  and  now  let  me  kiss  away  those  tears,  for  you 
have  been  crying,  Angus,  and  you  can't  hide  it  from  me.  Why  should  you 
weep  when  you  say  that  you  love  me,  and  are  happy  ?  " 

"  I  did  not  say  that  I  was  happy,  Florence.  I  said  that  I  loved  you,  and 
in  loving  you  I  am  unhappy." 

She  looked  a  little  puzzled,  but  once  more  she  laid  her  head  upon  my 
shoulder,  and  I  put  my  arm  around  her  waist. 

"  My  dear  little  wife,"  I  continued,  after  a  moment's  pause,  thinking  of 
the  best  way  to  break  the  news  to  her  as  gently  as  possible,  "  when  you 
pledged  this  dear  little  hand  you  thought  it  was  to  a  lord  that  it  was  given,  did 
you  not,  love  ?  " 

"  What  an  absurd  question.  Of  course  I  did.  Who  else  should  I  give  it 
vo  ?  " 

"  Look  at  me  well,  little  wife,  and  see  if  you  can  have  been  mistaken." 

She  laughed,  as  she  looked  at  my  face. 

"You  provoking  boy,"  glancing  up,  and  smiling,  "do  I  not  see  the  same 


1 10  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


brown  eyes,  the  same  curling  brown  hair,  the  same  tiny  mustache,  —  you 
know  it  is  not  very  ferocious,  Angus,  but  it  will  grow  in  time,  if  you  pav 
strict  attention  to  it,  —  the  same  clear  skin,  without  the  least  vestige  of  a 
beard,  and  lastly,  but  very  important,  the  same  white,  even  teeth  ?  Now,  sir, 
how  is  that  for  a  description  cf  a  husband  ?  The  wrinkles  will  coine,  and 
the  hair  will  turn  gray,  and  fall  off,  but  I  shall  always  think  of  my  husband 
as  I  see  him  tonight,  handsome,  young,  and  noble,  and  may  he  love  me  in 
old  age,  if  we  live,  just  as  well  as  he  says  that  he  loves  me  tonight,  with 
youth  and  health  at  his  command." 

"  Your  description  is  flattering,  darling,  and  I  feel  proud  of  it,  yet  I  am 
not  the  man  who  asked  for  your  hand  some  days  since." 

"  I  do  not  like  such  foolish  jests,"  she  said  with  an  offended  look.  "  They 
are  not  in  good  taste  at  the  present  time.  I  pray  you,  my  lord,  to  postpone 
them  for  some  more  fitting  occasion." 

"  There  is  no  time  more  suitable  than  the  present,  Lwe.  Would  to  Heav- 
en that  it  were  a  jest,  or  a  dream.  Then,  indeed,  should  I  be  happy,  be- 
cause all  could  be  changed  in  waking.  I  am  serious,  Florence.  As  God  is 
my  judge,  I  never  asked  your  hand  in  marriage,  as  God  is  my  judge,  I  never 
saw  Miss  Florence  Kebblewhite,  the  Belle  of  Australia,  until  she  entered 
the  drawing-room,  dressed  as  a  bride,  this  evening." 

She  broke  away  from  my  arms,  and  retreated  to  the  other  end  of  the 
apartment,  moaning,  and  wringing  her  hands. 

"  O  Angus,"  she  sobbed,  "  what  cruel  words  you  utter.  As  though  I 
would  give  my  hand  unsought,  as  though  I  would  wed  a  stranger.  Have 
you  lost  your  senses?  or  does  the  fumes  of  the  wine  still  linger  in  your 
brain  ?  " 

"  Dear  Florence,  hear  me  with  patience.  I  am  not  insane,  neither  am  I 
under  the  influence  of  liquor.  As  I  hope  for  God's  mercy,  as  I  hope  to 
meet  my  own  dear  mother  in  heaven,  as  I  trust  to  stand  by  your  side  in 
paradise,  and  ask  your  forgiveness  for  all  the  wrongs  I  have  inflicted  upon 
you,  so  do  I  declare  to  you,  in  this  sacred  place,  your  bridal  chamber,  that 
I  never  saw  you  until  this  evening." 

"  O  my  God,  have  mercy  upon  me,  a  poor,  unhappy  girl !  "  she  exclaimed, 
and  fell  upon  her  knees,  and  buried  her  face  in  her  hands,  and  sobbed  so 
piteously,  thut  I  feared  once  more  for  my  good  resolution. 

I  went  to  her.  and  tried  to  raise  her,  but  she  repulsed  me  with  all  her 
strength.  I  waited,  standing  near  her  dressing-table,  until  the  first  burst  of 
emotion  had  passed,  when  she  looked  up,  and  asked,  in  a  constrained 
tone,  — 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  in 

"  Have  you  any  more  revelations  to  make  on  your  bridal  eve  ?  Come,  sir, 
let  me  hear  the  rest  of  this  strange  romance.  I  will  be  calm,  quite  calm, 
sir." 

"It  is  a  romance,  Florence,  but  a  very  eventful  and  truthful  one.  God 
knows  what  mysterious  influence  sent  me  to  this  city,  a.nd  caused  me  to 
land  here  this  morning.  I  resemble  some  one  who  is  rich,  young,  and  pow- 
erful, but  who  he  is  I  do  not  know,  except  that  he  is  called  the  Earl  of 
Afton." 

"  And  do  you  mean  to  tell  me  that  you  are  not  the  Earl  of  Afton  ?  that 
you  are  not  Angus  Mornington  ?  "  she  demanded  in  a  haughty  tone. 

-  I  am  not  the  Earl  of  Afton,  but  I  am  Angus  Mornington,  as  my  father's 
name  was  before  me.'" 

"  It  is  a  lie  !  "  she  said,  with  startling  distinctness  and  abruptness.  This 
was  not  polite  or  courteous,  but  it  had  the  merit  of  being  quite  frank,  if 
not  true.  She  was  angry,  and  did  not  choose  her  words  just  at  that  mo- 
ment. 

I  began  to  feel  that  I  had  made  a  slight  mistake  in  not  taking  the  two 
kisses  from  the  lady's-maid  at  the  head  of  the  stairs  instead  of  only  one,  as 
I  really  had  done.  A  man  never  knows  his  own  advantages  and  disadvan- 
tages until  he  is  reminded  of  them  in  a  forcible  manner,  by  being  called  a 
liar. 

"  You  do  me  a  great  injustice,  Florence,'  I  said,  after  a  moment's  pause, 
to  allow  her  to  recover  her  temper  and  composure.  "  I  would  not  deceive 
you  for  all  the  world,  and,  because  I  do  not  wish  to  do  so,  I  have  made  this 
explanation." 

"  And  do  you  mean  to  tell  me  that  I  am  not  the  Countess  of  Afton  ?  "  she 
demanded,  looking  up  a  little  fiercely. 

"  I  must  answer  *  No  '  to  that  question." 

"  Who  am  I  then  ?  " 

"  My  wife,  dear,  Mrs.  Angus  Mornington." 

"  And  who  are  you  ?     Where  did  you  come  from  ?  " 

"  I  am  an  American  citizen,"  I  answered,  quite  proudly. 

"  O  Heaven,"  she  moaned,  "  I  have  married  only  a  Yankee  instead  of  an 
earl." 

I  again  felt  that  I  had  not  received  the  value  of  my  sovereign,  which  I 
had  generously  presented  to  the  lady's-maid,  and  regretted  the  lost  kiss. 
Husbands  don't  like  to  be  called  hard  names. 

"  You  speak  in  tones  of  reproach,  Florence  :  but  it  is  far  better  to  be  the 
wife  of  an  American  citizen,  with  a  name  unsullied  by  vice  and  crime,  than 


H2  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

to  wear  the  coronet  of  a  dissipated  nobleman,  who  did  not  love  his  prom- 
ised bride  sufficiently  to  keep  his  appointment  at  the  altar.  Forgive  me, 
dear,  for  speaking  harshly,  but  I  feel  as  proud  of  my  title  of  American  as 
you  could  feel  at  being  a  countess." 

She  did  not  answer  me,  but  arose  to  her  feet,  and  paced  the  chamber, 
wringing  her  hands,  and  uttering  vehement  exclamations. 

"  Why,"  she  asked  at  last,  stopping,  and  facing  me,  with  a  look  in  which 
love  and  disappointment  strove  for  the  mastery,  "  did  you  not  explain  all 
this  before  the  wedding  ?  Answer  me  that  question." 

"  Simply  because,  every  time  I  attempted  to  do  so,  your  amiable  parent 
called  for  his  pistols  and  a  nulla,  if  you  know  what  that  is,  I  don't.  He 
thought  that  I  was  shirking  the  union,  and  even  you  would  not  listen  to  me 
when  I  attempted  an  explanation.  Do  you  not  remember,  my  dear,  that 
such  was  the  case  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know,  I  don't  understand.  I  am  all  in  a  daze  at  this  moment, 
and  do  not  realize  what  to  think  or  believe.  Oh,  it  is  impossible  that  you  can 
be  what  you  represent.  Angus,  tell  me  that  it  is  all  a  comedy  to  try  my 
love  and  pride,  and  still  I  will  forgive  you." 

"  Would  to  Heaven  it  were,  Florence." 

"  And  I  am  really  your  wife  ?  " 

"  Yes,  my  lawful  wife.  Did  you  not  notice  that  I  told  the  clergyman  I 
was  to  be  married  as  Angus  Mornington,  and  not  to  refer  to  titles,  for  I 
wanted  none,  and  had  none." 

"Yes,  I  remember  now,  but,  as  I  had  never  been  married  before,  I 
thought  it  was  the  custom." 

"  You  will  know  better  next  time,  Florence,"  I  said  a  little  bitterly,  for  it 
seemed  that  she  did  love  titles  after  all. 

She  looked  at  me  in  a  wondering  manner,  as  though  she  did  not  quite 
comprehend  me,  and  then  her  eyes  fell  upon  the  diamond  ring  which  I  had 
restored  to  her  at  the  ceremony,  and  with  which  I  had  wedded  her  in  regu- 
lar Episcopal  style. 

"  Look  at  this,"  she  said.  "  By  this  diamond  ring  do  I  convict  you  of 
subterfuge  and  deceit." 

Now  I  was  in  for  it,  sure  enough-  I  had  not  thought  of  the  ring  all  the 
evening,  or  since  I  had  restored  it  to  her. 

"  Angus,"  she  said,  and  her  voice  was  more  sorrowful  and  tender,  "  I  al- 
lowed you  to  take  this  diamond  from  my  finger  the  day  that  you  placed  this 
signet  ring  on  mine.  It  was  an  exchange  of  tokens  of  love,  or  at  least  of 
confidence.  Your  ring  has  a  crest,  and  the  monogram  'A.  M.'  on  the  seal, 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  113 

and  the  Latin  motto  of  '  (7t  quocunque  paratns]  or,  in  other  words,  '  pre- 
pared for  any  event.'  Is  that  motto  the  one  which  your  house  adopts  when 
one  of  its  members  wishes  to  deceive  a  poor  girl  ?  " 

I  was  silent.  How  could  I  tell  her  what  had  been  the  fate  of  the  ring 
since  it  had  left  her  little  finger  ? 

"  This  ring,"  she  continued,  holding  up  her  left  hand,  "  was  given  to  me 
one  year  ago,  when  I  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  as  a  birthday  present  from  a 
father  whom,  although  he  is  rough  at  times,  and  does  not  use  good  English, 
I  love  and  respect  as  my  father,  for  he  loves  me  dearly.  No  one  had  ever 
worn  that  ring  but  myself,  and  yet  I  felt  such  confidence  in  you,  that  I  al- 
lowed you  to  take  it,  and  to  carry  it  away.  I  have  not  seen  it  before  tonight 
since  I  loaned  it  to  you.  Now,  sir,  if  you  are  not  the  Earl  of  Afton,  if  you 
did  not  receive  my  pledge,  how  does  it  happen  that  you  are  in  possession 
of  a  jewel  that  cost  my  father  one  thousand  pounds,  and  which  has  my 
name  and  age  engraved  on  the  gold  surroundings  ?  " 

She  looked  at  me  with  flashing  eyes,  as  though  she  had  caught  me  in  a 
lie,  and  was  rather  proud  of  it. 

"  Florence,1'  I  said,  as  I  extended  my  arms  to  gather  her  in  an  embrace ; 
but  she  moved  backward,  and  motioned  me  to  keep  my  distance,  a  motion 
that  was  a  little  disdainful  and  cold. 

"  Go  on,  sir,"  she  said. 

"  Florence,"  I  resumed,  "  I  did  not  think  of  the  ring,  or  the  explanation 
which  I  must  make.  My  darling,  I  would  spare  you  all  this,  but  I  must 
justify  myself  in  your  eyes,  no  matter  who  is  injured.  I  know  that  your 
pride  and  self-respect  will  be  hurt,  but  far  better  all  this,  than  that  I  should 
suffer  from  your  displeasure.  The  ring  was  not  given  to  me,  but  to  the 
man  you  call  Earl  of  Afton.  This  evening,  on  the  street,  the  Chief  of  Po- 
lice, Mr.  Murden,  accosted  and  saluted  me  as  a  lord.  I  thought  he  was  a 
crank,  as  other  people  had  done  the  same,  and  feared  that  all  the  citizens  of 
Melbourne  had  gone  mad.  I  denied  that  I  was  the  Earl  of  Afton,  but  he 
refused  to  believe  me,  or  to  listen  to  me,  while  I  reiterated  the  truth.  At 
last,  dear,  he  spoke  of  the  Belle  of  Australia,  and  intimated  that  I  had  been 
guilty  of  a  mean  and  contemptible  trick,  in  not  keeping  my  engagement  to 
marry  you  at  three  o'clock.  You  are  following  me,  Florence  ?  " 

"  Yes,  —  continue,"  with  a  face  that  was  very  white  now. 

"  I  denied  that  I  knew  you,  or  had  ever  seen  you,  and  said  that  I  was  on 
my  way  to  the  Victoria,  in  a  dress  suit,  to  see  the  lady  and  her  husband, 
who  were  expected  at  the  theatre,  and  for  whom  great  preparations  had  been 
made.  All  that  I  could  say  had  no  effect,  and  at  last  found  that  I  was  vir- 


14  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


tually  under  arrest  for  the  alleged  offence  of  taking  your  ring,  and  not  re- 
turning it.  This  charge  was  made  by  your  brother,  in  revenge  for  the  mor- 
tification which  you  had  experienced  in  not  being  married  at  the  appointed 
time." 

"  I  knew  nothing  of  this,"  she  said,  with  a  trembling  lip,  and  a  disdainful 
toss  of  her  pretty  head.  "  I  desired  to  urge  no  man  to  marry  me  against 
his  inclinations,  not  even  the  Earl  of  Afton." 

How  much  I  admired  her  in  her  queenly  role.  Never  had  I  loved  her  so 
well  as  now,  when  she  stood  before  me  with  just  enough  disdain  on  her 
pretty  face,  to  make  it  light  up  like  a  picture.  I  began  to  feel  that  I  had 
done  wrong  on  my  way  to  her  chamber,  and  hoped  that  the  lady's-maid 
would  never  boast  of  my  little  wandering  weakness,  a  mere  aberration  of 
mind,  which  time  and  a  good  wife  would  cure. 

"Go  on,  sir,"  she  said,  seeing  that  I  hesitated,  and  was  steadily  regarding 
her.  "Go  on,  and  let  us  hear  the  conclusion  of  this  strange  story,  or,  rath- 
er, fable,  as  I  can  call  it  no  less." 

"  It  seems  that  your  brother  was  determined  to  bring  the  Earl  of  Afton  to 
an  account,  and  put  the  Chief  of  Police  on  his  track.  By  some  strange  mis- 
conception he  stumbled  upon  me,  and,  to  prove  that  he  was  right,  drew 
from  his  pocket  that  diamond  ring  which  you  now  have  on  your  hand.  O 
Florence,  let  me  spare  you  the  rest  of  my  strange  story.  I  would  not  bring 
a  blush  to  that  dear  face  for  all  the  diamonds  in  the.  world." 

Of  course  this  was  not  exactly  correct,  because  men  are  not  so  particular 
as  all  that  when  conversing  with  their  wives  in  private,  but  I  thought  it 
sounded  well,  and  would  touch  her  heart  and  feelings,  and  that  she  would 
respect  me  the  more  for  it. 

"  Go  on,  sir.  There  are  men  who  should  blush  for  their  conduct  as  well 
as  we  poor  women,  or,  perhaps,  we  should  blush  for  them,  as  they  are  inca- 
pable of  such  manifestations  of  modesty." 

I  wondered  if  she  had  peeped  through  the  keyhole,  and  seen  me  at  the 
head  of  the  stairs.  But  I  rejected  the  idea  as  unworthy  of  the  sweet  lady, 
although,  as  a  general  thing,  men  can't  be  too  careful  as  they  brush  through 
the  world,  and  meet  some  of  its  rough  corners. 

"You  still  insist  that  I  shall  continue  my  story,  Florence?  "  I  asked. 

"  Yes.  I  will  hear  all  that  you  have  to  say,  sir.  Go  on,"  she  said  des- 
perately. 

"The  ring,  Florence,  had  passed  from  the  finger  of  the  Earl  of  Afton  to 
that  of  a  girl  of  Melbourne,  named  Kitty  Stukely,  a  handsome,  showy 
young  woman,  who  lives  spmewhere  on  Lonsdale  Street,  I  think," 


The  Belle  of  Atistralia.  115 


She  gave  a  gasp,  and  I  thought  that  she  would  faint,  but  she  leaned  on 
the  back  of  a  chair,  and  this  steadied  her  slight  form,  and  it  again  grew  firm 
and  defiant.  I  waited  until  her  faintness  had  passed,  and  resumed,  — 

••  It  seemed  that  his  lordship  loaned,  or  gave,  the  ring  to  the  young  wo- 
man a  few  days  after  he  had  received  it  from  your  hands." 

She  drew  the  glittering  diamond  from  her  finger,  and  threw  it  to  the  oppo- 
site side  of  the  chamber,  with  an  expression  of  deep  disgust  on  her  burning 
face,  as  though  the  jewel  had  contaminated  her  hand  by  its  contact.  I  felt 
more  proud  of  her  superb  and  regal  beauty  than  ever,  as  I  witnessed  this 
display  of  passion  and  haughty  pride. 

"  I  was  informed  that  there  were  but  two  things  for  me  to  do,"  I  resumed. 
"  The  Chief  said  that  he  first  noticed  the  ring  on  the  hand  of  the  girl  at  a 
free-and-easy,  —  if  you  know  what  that  is,  I  do  not,  —  on  Market  Square, 
one  evening,  and  he  was  suspicious  that  it  had  been  stolen.  He  took  it 
from  her  this  afternoon  at  her  house,  and,  on  questioning  her,  she  said  that 
a  gentleman  named  Angus  —  she  did  not  know  him  by  any  other  name  — 
had  put  it  on  her  finger,  and  told  her  to  wear  it.  The  Chief  said  I  must  de- 
cide whether  she  lied  or  not.  If  she  did  lie  she  must  go  to  prison,  if  she 
did  not,  I  must  answer  for  the  crime  of  giving  away  a  valuable  jewel  which 
did  not  belong  to  me.  Breach  of  trust,  I  think  he  called  it.  Florence,  do 
you  know  what  I  did?  My  darling,  can  you  imagine  what  course  I 
pursued  ?" 

"  I  am  not  sufficiently  versed  in  the  sinuous  ways  of  mankind  to  even  give 
a  guess,"  was  the  disdainful  answer. 

"  I  went  with  the  Chief  to  the  home  of  the  young  la —  girl  I  mean,  and 
there  she,  too,  claimed  me  as  her  Angus." 

A  look  that  would  have  wilted  me  if  I  had  not  been  honest  and  truthful, 
flashed  from  my  wife's  blue  eyes.  It  was  like  lightning  on  a  summer  af- 
ternoon after  a  shower. 

•;  Of  course,  dear,  I  repudiated  her,  and  her  story,"  I  continued. 
••  Yes.  it  is  so  like  a  man." 

I  began  to  think  that  Florence  had  seen  much  of  the  world.  Perhaps 
her  father  had  not  been  all  that  she  could  have  desired. 

"  But  when  the  Chief  swore  that  if  I  did  not  acknowledge  that  I  gave  her 
the  ring,  he  would  lock  the  girl  up,  and  hold  me  as  a  witness,  I  saved  her 
and  myself,  and  a  terrible  scandal." 

"  How?     No  doubt  you  would  save  yourself.     Men  generally  do.'1 
'•  By  a  falsehood,  dear,  and   I  think  it  a  justifiable  one   under  the  circum- 
stances.    I  said  that  I  had  loaned  her  the  ring." 


II 6  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  And  a  few  minutes  ago  you  said  that  you  were  a  man  of  truth,"  in  a  sar- 
castic tone. 

"  And  I  still  claim  to  be,  Florence." 

"  Have  you  told  me  all ?  Have  you  made  a  full  confession?"  she  then 
asked. 

"  I  have  told  you  all,  dear." 

She  looked  at  me  with  a  suspicious  eye.  I  did  not  think  that  it  was 
worth  while  to  go  into  minute  particulars  respecting  all  that  was  said  or 
done  at  the  house.  It  is  always  best  to  avoid  trouble  and  misunderstanding 
if  possible,  and  women  are  so  unreasonable  over  little  matters. 

"  And  this  thing,  this  girl,  escapes  all  punishment  because  you  shielded 
her  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Florence,"  I  answered,  very  humbly. 

"And  the  mean  thing  wore  my  diamond  for  several  days?"  my  wife 
asked. 

"  So  I  understand." 

"  Eh,  I  shall  never  put  it  on  my  finger  again  without  an  expression  of  d:s- 
gust.  I  will  soak  it  in  ammonia  to  take  away  the  stain.  How  dare  you  do 
such  a  thing  ? "  Florence  asked. 

"  I  am  doing  what  I  believe  to  be  right,  Florence  Heaven  knows  how 
painful  it  is  to  me,  for  I  love  you,  dear,  and  had  I  been  the  one  to  have 
been  so  honored  as  to  receive  such  a  token  of  your  confidence  no  power  on 
earth  should  have  taken  it  from  me." 

She  seemed  to  be  meditating  on  all  that  had  been  said,  but  at  last  she 
raised  her  head,  and  remarked,  — 

"  I  can  hardly  believe  you,  and  yet  you  seem  honest  and  sincere." 

"  O  Florence,  trust  me,  dear.  I  am  a  young  man  of  good  moral  and  re- 
ligious character." 

I  thought  that  I  would  hurl  that  sentence  at  her  head,  and  see  if  it  would 
not  have  a  good  effect,  but,  to  my  surprise,  she  did  not  appear  to  notice  it. 
I  am  afraid  that  a  majority  of  girls  do  not  reverence  pious  young  men, 
unless  they  can  waltz,  and  drive  a  horse  with  one  hand,  and  eat  ice  cream 
and  oysters  at  all  hours  of  the  day  and  night,  to  the  everlasting  ruin  of 
their  digestions. 

"  Now,  what  do  you  propose  to  do  ?  "  my  wife  asked,  after  a  long  pause, 
during  which  I  could  hear  Mr.  Kebblewhite,  still  in  the  dining-room,  roar 
out  the  highly  entertaining  and  instructive  ballad  of  — 

"  Cease,  rude  Boreas,  blustering  railer." 


The  Belle  o    Australia. 


"  What  would  you  have  me  do,  Florence  ?  You  are  my  wife,  but  a  wife 
vho  was  obtained  by  deception  on  one  part,  but  not  fraud  on  mine.  I 
would  have  made  all  clear  had  I  been  so  permitted.  The  gentleman,  the 
lord,  the  coward,  who  was  to  have  married  you,  is  miles  away  from  the  city 
by  this  time,  and  he  will  never  return  to  claim  your  hand.  If  he  did  a 
horsewhip  should  honor  his  shoulders  from  my  hands,  or  those  of  your 
brother. 

"  This  evening,  Florence,  at  seven  o'clock,  or  thereabouts,  I  saw  a  young 
man  leave  the  Melbourne  club-house.  I  had  but  a  glimpse  of  his  face  and 
form,  and  must  confess  they  were  wonderfully  like  mine.  He  was  assisted 
into  a  light  vehicle,  and  told  to  make  for  Gelong  with  all  speed,  and  never 
return  again  to  this  city,  as  he  had  disgraced  himself,  and  the  Belle  of  Aus- 
tralia, and  all  her  numerous  friends.  He  was  addressed  as  a  lord,  and  one 
of  the  parties  who  acted  as  his  escort  was  called  Mr.  Mattocks.  After  his 
lordship  had  been  driven  off,  the  gentlemen  conversed  together  for  a  few 
moments,  in  an  undertone,  and,  when  they  turned  to  enter  the  club-house, 
saw  me  for  the  first  time.  One  of  them,  to  my  amazement  and  surprise, 
addressed  me  as  the  Earl  of  Afton,  and  claimed  to  have  been  the  early 
friend  of  the  father  of  his  lordship,  —  the  old  earl.  It  was  then  that  I 
learned  that  I  was  to  have  married  you  at  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  but 
that  I  had  thought  better  of  it,  and  fled,  or  made  the  attempt,  and  returned. 
Just  as  though  I  would  fly  from  such  a  dear,  lovely  little  girl  as  you,  when 
there  was  a  prospect  of  making  her  my  wife.  Both  gentlemen  reproached 
me  in  bitter  terms  for  my  perfidy,  and  then  I  discovered  that  Mr.  Mattocks 
was  at  one  time  a  suitor  for  your  hand,  and  still  had  hopes  if  I  was  out  of 
the  way.  I  thought  them  what  we  call  cranks,  or  lunatics,  and  so  passed  on 
to  meet  a  fresh  one  in  the  person  of  Mr.  Murden.  Now,  dear,  do  you  won- 
der that  you  made  the  mistake  that  you  did  ?  and  that  all  your  sweet  kiss- 
es were  intended  for  another  ?  and  that  the  dear  hand  which  I  prize  so  much 
would  have  been  valueless  to  the  man  called  the  Earl  of  Afton  ?  O  Flor- 
ence, take  pity  on  me,  and  pardon  me,  for  had  you  not  been  so  beautiful, 
had  I  not  loved  you  the  first  glimpse  that  I  obtained  of  your  dear  face,  I 
would  have  braved  death  sooner  than  give  my  hand  where  my  heart  did  not 
also  go.  You  are  my  wife,  but  only  in  name.  Can  you  pardon  me  for  my 
deceit?'' 

She  looked  at  me  as  I  held  out  my  arms,  but  still  she  clung  to  the  back  of 
the  chair,  and  did  not  change  her  position. 

"  List  ye  landsmen  hall  to  me," 


Ii8  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

came  from  the  dining-room  in  a  roaring  tone,  and  how  I  pitied  that  poor 
Frenchman,  unless  he  was  drunk,  and  under  the  table. 

I  walked  to  the  window,  and  threw  it  up,  and  looked  out  upon  the  bright 
moonlight. 

There  was  a  balcony  in  front  of  the  window,  and  near  that  balcony  was  a 
stout  tree  of  the  she-oak  variety,  such  as  furniture  is  made  of.  For  a  mo- 
ment I  surveyed  the  scene  before  me,  and  inhaled  the  perfume  of  the  fresh 
air.  While  I  was  standing  there  1  heard  a  neighboring  clock  in  a  steeple 
toll  the  hour  of  one  in  the  morning. 

"  Good-by,  Florence,"  I  said,  returning  to  her  side,  and  offering  her  my 
hand. 

She  did  not  look  at  me,  or  turn  her  head.  She  seemed  to  be  dreaming, 
for  all  the  signs  of  life  that  she  showed.  I  waited  for  a  moment,  and  then 
again  spoke. 

"  Will  you  let  me  take  your  hand,  Florence  ? "  I  asked.  "  I  am  going 
away,  and  we  may  never  meet  again." 

She  did  not  answer  me,  or  raise  her  hand,  or  make  a  sign  to  repulse  me. 
She  did  not  even  turn  her  head,  or  look  at  me. 

"  If  you  can  pardon  me  in  time,  Florence,  I  shall  feel  blessed.  I  now  re- 
store to  you  your  freedom.  In  a  little  while  you  can  procure  a  separation, 
and  marry  one  whom  you  can  love,  honor,  and  esteem.  I  shall  feel  very 
wretched  when  I  hear  of  it,  if  I  ever  do,  but,  if  your  future  happiness  is  de- 
pendent upon  it,  I  shall  remain  content." 

Still  no  word  or  sign  that  she  heard  me,  no  token  of  relenting  or  pity. 
Her  face  was  set,  and  her  eyes  fixed. 

"  When  I  leave  you,  Florence,  I  shall  go  I  know  not  where,  and  return  I 
know  not  when.  I  am  poor,  and  as  proud  as  yourself,  and  if  I  am  not  an 
English  nobleman,  I  am  at  least  an  American  gentleman,  and  should  feel 
humiliated  to  take  advantage  of  my  position,  or  wonderful  likeness  to 
the  man  you  loved,  to  bring  reproach  upon  your  name.  Good-by,  Florence, 
once  more,  O  my  darling,  good-by  !  " 

I  knelt  at  her  side,  and  kissed  her  little  hand,  but  there  was  no  sign  of 
relenting,  and  if  there  had  been  the  parting  would  kave  been  more  painful 
than  it  was.  I  returned  to  the  window,  took  off  my  dress  coat,  and  threw  it 
to  the  ground,  for  I  did  not  dare  to  leave  the  house  by  the  stairs  and  front- 
door, fearful  of  meeting  some  one  of  the  family,  who  would  demand  an  ex- 
planation of  my  nocturnal  wanderings,  and,  alas  !  what  could  I  say  more 
than  had  already  been  said  ?  One  glance  I  cast  around  the  chamber,  and 
saw  how  beautifully  it  was  furnished,  with  its  blue  silk  bed-spread,  blue 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  119 

satin  covered  furniture,  blue  damask  draperies,  and  oil  paintings  on  the  wall, 
and  a  blue  decorated  marble  mantel  clock  on  the  marble  chimney  piece. 
All  this  I  saw,  and  then  I  heard  the  roaring  of  Mr.  Kebblewhite,  as  he  con- 
tinued to  howl,  — 

"  Sing  the  dangers  of  the  sea," 

showing  that  he  had  not  yet  escaped  from  the  ballads  of  Great  Britain,  and 
gone  into  snug  quarters  for  the  night.  One  last  glance  I  cast  at  my  wife, 
and  saw  that  she  had  not  moved  from  her  fixed  position,  that  she  had  not 
turned  her  head,  or  appeared  to  be  aware  that  we  were  to  be  separated  for- 
ever, or  until  God's  own  time  when  we  should  look  on  each  other's  faces 
once  more,  but  whether  in  heaven  or  on  earth  He  alone  could  tell. 

"  God  bless  you,  Florence,  O  my  wife,"  I  muttered  to  myself,  closed  the 
window  from  the  outside,  and,  as  I  did  so,  I  thought  that  I  heard  a  fall,  as 
though  some  one  had  stumbled,  but  I  paid  no  attention  to  it,  and  the  next 
moment  I  seized  one  of  the  branches  of  the  tough  tree,  and  dropped  to  the 
ground,  for  the  bough  did  not  break,  but  let  me  fall  very  gently,  and  when  I 
reached  the  earth  I  found  a  pair  of  arms  thrown  around  me,  clasping  me  in 
an  embrace  that  was  like  the  coils  of  the  South-American  python,  and  fully 
as  resistless. 

I  would  have  struggled  with  the  person  who  had  so  suddenly  seized  me, 
but  I  had  been  taken  at  a  disadvantage,  and  was  nearly  powerless  to 
move,  and  as  for  shouting,  I  did  not  mean  to  do  that,  and  bring  upon  my 
devoted  head  the  great  wrath  of  a  man  who  could  sing  all  night,  drink  all 
night,  and  had  pistols  and  a  nulla  near  at  hand,  to  be  used  with  deadly  ef- 
fect upon  the  person  whom  he  supposed  to  be  a  noble  son-in-law. 

I  turned  my  head,  and  saw  the  set,  determined  face  and  glittering  eyes  of 
Mr.  Murden,  the  Chief  of  Police,  whom  I  supposed  home  and  a-bed  long 
ago. 

"  Well,"  I  asked,  "  what  in  the  devil's  name  are  you  doing  here  ?  " 

"  Holding  your  lordship  until  you  promise  not  to  make  a  noise,  and  to 
cease  struggling/'  was  the  brief  answer. 

"  Oh,  release  your  hold  of  me,  for  you  are  cracking  my  ribs,  and  I  don't 
like  a  man's  embrace  at  any  time." 

"  Promise,  my  lord." 

"  Oh,  bosh,  Murden,  you  know  that  the  lord  business  is  all  played  out, 
and  it  is  no  longer  a  joke.  Let  up  on  me,  and  I  '11  promise  anything  you 
ask." 


T2O  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  Even  to  walking  back  into  that  house,  and  returning  to  the  room  where 
you  belong  ?  " 

"  No,  sir,  not  if  you  should  press  the  life  out  of  me.  So  go  ahead,  and 
do  your  worst,"  J  said  most  determinedly. 

He  released  me  from  his  tight  embrace,  and  stepped  back,  so  that  he 
could  have  a  better  look  at  my  face,  and  watch  its  expression. 

"  My  lord,"  he  said,  "  I  see  traces  of  tears  in  your  eyes,  but  tears  are  not 
always  the  sign  of  repentance.  Why  have  you  left  your  young  wife  at  this 
hour  of  the  night,  and  in  this  mysterious  manner  ?  " 

"  Because  I  am  a  man  of  honor,  and  will  not  stain  my  good  name  by  pre- 
tending to  be  that  which  I  am  not.  I  am  the  husband  of  Miss  Kebblewhite, 
but  only  in  name,  and  no  earthly  power  shall  tempt  me  to  claim  her  as  my 
wife,  unless  she  is  satisfied  to  take  me  as  I  am,  a  person  without  title,  and 
without  fortune." 

"  My  lord,"  said  the  Chief,  with  a  mocking  smile,  as  he  removed  his  cap, 
and  bowed  low  before  me,  "if  one  of  my  men  had  stood  before  me,  and  re- 
lated such  a  yarn,  I  should  have  told  him  that  he  was  a  liar,  and  unworthy 
of  the  police  force,  but  as  you  are  a  nobleman,  and  my  superior  in  rank  and 
fortune,  I  will  simply  say  that  I  understand  your  motives,  and  will  take  all 
the  means  that  lie  in  my  power  to  frustrate  them.  I  suspected  something  of 
this  nature,  and  have  waited  outside  of  the  house  to  thwart  you  in  the  gross 
wrong  which  you  contemplate." 

"  What  wrong  do  I  contemplate  ?  "  I  asked,  astonished  at  his  words. 

"I  overheard  your  pretended  confession  to  Mrs.  Kebblewhite  while  I 
was  in  the  hall.  We  policemen  sometimes  have  to  be  listeners.  You  told  a 
pitiful  tale,  and  any  one  but  a  man  accustomed  to  all  kinds  of  cunning  and 
turns  would  have  believed  you.  I  did  not.  I  saw  through  your  scheme, 
and  determined  to  defeat  it,  for  your  sake,  and  the  sake  of  the  young  lady 
whom  you  have  just  forsaken  on  some  mean  and  cowardly  pretext.  It  won't 
wash,  my  lord,  so  I  give  you  fair  warning." 

"  I  suspected  that  you  had  played  the  part  of  an  eavesdropper,  and  had 
listened  to  a  private  conversation,  Mr.  Murden,  Chief  of  Police,  but  I  am  at 
a  loss  to  understand  you,  when  you  accuse  me  of  meanness  and  duplicity." 

"  I  will  explain,  Earl  of  Afton,"  speaking  in  a  sarcastic  tone.  "  Since 
you  have  been  in  Melbourne  you  have  made  some  rapid  conquests  of  the 
young  ladies  who  reside  here.  I  know  all  that  has  transpired  in  the  last 
three  weeks,  and,  if  you  had  the  least  shame  in  your  lordly  nature,  you 
would  blush  for  your  evil  deeds.  But  as  you  are  incapable  of  doing  so,  we 
will  let  that  pass.  Among  all  the  women  you  met  none  fascinated  you  so 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  121 

strongly  as  Miss  Kebblewhite,  and  the  girl  Kitty.  The  former  you  did  not 
dare  to  insult  with  infamous  proposals,  so  you  talked  to  her  of  marriage, 
and  thought  that  familiarity  with  such  a  sacred  tie,  would  render  her  less 
vigilant.  You  were  defeated,  and  then  attempted  to  shirk  the  wedding.  I 
put  a  spoke  in  your  wheel,  and  made  you  perform  your  part  of  the  contract 
to  the  letter.  The  girl  Kitty  was  in  the  market,  and  you  bought  her.  Of 
that  I  have  nothing  to  say  as  long  as  you  were  a  single  man.  You  lavished 
money  on  her  and  of  that  I  do  not  complain.  If  ever  a  man  regarded  his 
mistress  as  something  a  little  better  than  a  dog,  you  were  the  person ;  but  I 
swear  to  you,  my  lord,  that  if  you  go  near  that  girl  tonight,  or  any  other 
time,  if  you  speak  to  her,  or  make  appointments  with  her,  I  will  arrest  you 
both,  even  if  the  lieutenant-governor  should  issue  an  edict  commanding  me 
not  to  do  so.  Do  you  understand  me  now,  my  lord  ?  " 

"  O  my  God  ! "  I  gasped,  and  clung  to  the  tree  by  which  I  had  descended 
from  the  window,  and  then  the  tears,  which  I  had  so  long  restrained,  burst 
from  my  eyes,  and  ran  down  my  cheeks  in  torrents. 

The  Chief  stood  before  me,  proud,  defiant,  and  scornful.  He  thought 
that  I  was  playing  a  part,  and  that  he  was  checkmating  it  at  every  turn. 

"  Heaven,"  I  gasped  at  length,  "  are  you  a  man,  or  a  high-toned  devil, 
fresh  from  the  deepest  parts  of  the  infernal  regions,  sent  on  earth  to  drive 
me  mad  with  your  base  suppositions  ?  Wretch,  do  you  believe  that  I  could 
leave  the  presence  and  company  of  that  pure  angel,  my  wife,  for  the  atmos- 
phere of  a  mistress?  If  I  had  a  pistol  I  would  shoot  you  like  a  dog  for 
even  hinting  at  such  an  abomination." 

"  But  as  you  have  no  pistol  I  am  likely  to  live  for  some  time  to  come. 
Other  men  have  done  the  same  thing,  and  of  more  distinguished  rank  than 
yourself.  Even  Frederick  the  Great  "  — 

" Frederick  the  Great !  "  I  cried  impatiently. 

"  With  all  my  heart.  He  's  no  friend  of  mine,  and  probably  has  been 
damned  for  many  years  past.  If  not,  he  deserved  to  be." 

"  Mr.  Murden,"  I  said,  as  soon  as  I  could  recover  my  composure,  "  to 
you  and  your  devilish  craftiness  am  I  indebted  for  all  the  misery,  and  all 
the  unhappiness,  I  am  likely  to  experience  for  many  long  years  to  come. 
You  have  this  night  woven  a  web  around  me  that  I  could  not  break  through, 
try  as  I  would." 

"  I  should  think  not,"  was  the  complacent  rejoinder.  "  I  weave  webs  to 
stay,  and  not  to  break." 

"  A  few  hours  ago,"  I  continued,  "  I  was  happy  in  the  thoughts  of  the  fu- 
ture, of  earning  a  fair  living  by  my  talent  and  industry,  if  not  in  one  busi- 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


ness  at  least  in  another.  I  was  heart  whole.  I  had  never  loved  any  other 
woman  except  my  mother,  and  I  did  not  desire  to.  I  met  you  on  my  way  to 
the  theatre,  and  you  were  pleased  to  call  me  a  lord,  and  to  relate  to  me 
something  which  I  knew  nothing  about." 

I  paused,  and  strove  to  keep  back  the  emotion  that  would  surge  from  my 
eyes  as  I  thought  of  all  that  I  had  suffered  at  the  hands  of  the  man  who 
stood  before  me,  with  a  half-smile  on  his  lips,  disbelieving  every  word  that  I 
uttered. 

"  Devil  that  you  are,  you  made  me  do  some  things  that  my  soul  abhorred. 
I  thought  that  I  could  save  that  poor  girl,  and  still  extricate  myself  from 
your  toils,  but  in  saving  her  I  lost  myself." 

''•  Bah,  my  lord  !  did  you  think  so  poorly  of  me  as  to  suppose  that  I  would 
arrest  Kitty  ?  It  was  a  game  of  bluff,  and  I  held  a  full  hand,  and  you  did 
not  even  have  a  pair.  I  called  when  I  was  ready,  and  you  did  no.t  respond. 
That  is  all." 

"  Then  you  brought  me  here,  to  this  elegant  mansion,  and  I  was  received 
as  the  wandering  bridegroom,  with  open  arms  and  every  demonstration  of 
pleasure  and  respect." 

"  Certainly,  why  should  you  not  have  been  ?  It  is  customary  in  all  well- 
regulated  society  to  treat  the  bridegroom  with  honor,  unless  the  old  man  has 
especial  objections  to  him.  Now  my  father-in-law  was  so  anxious  to  get  his 
daughter  off  his  hands,  that  he  got  drunk  before  the  wedding,  and  when  I 
put  in  an  appearance,  wanted  to  kiss  me,  and  to  swear  eternal  friendship, 
while  my  mother-in-law  declared  that  I  was  not  good  enough  for  her  child 
and,  in  her  anxiety  to  get  us  out  of  the  house,  and  started  on  our  own  ac- 
count, fell  down-stairs,  and  broke  one  of  her  legs,  and  could  n't  visit  us  for 
three  months.  There  are  some  bright  episodes  on  earth,  my  lord,  after  all." 

"  When  I  would  explain  everything,"  I  continued,  not  noticing  his  long 
harangue,  "  you  blocked  me  at  every  step,  and  would  listen  to  nothing,  or 
permit  others  to.  You  know  the  result.  God  of  heaven  !  I  am  married  to 
an  angel,  and  must  live  apart  from  her.  I  love  her,  and  can  never  see  her, 
or  speak  to  her.  There  does  not  exist  in  all  the  regions  of  the  civilized 
world  a  more  unhappy,  desperate  wretch  than  I,  and  to  you  am  I  indebted 
for  all  of  it." 

"  Of  course  you  are.  I  was  bound  to  give  you  a  lesson,  and  I  have  ac- 
complished my  object.  I  determined  to  show  you  that  the  people  of  Mel- 
bourne could  be  as  sharp  as  the  nobility  of  England.  I  have  put  a  stop  to 
your  amours  and  flirtations  in  this  city  at  least.  If  you  love  your  wife,  I 
am  rejoiced  at  it,  but  why  you  should  leave  her  at  this  hour  of  the  morning 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  123 

is  beyond  my  comprehension.  Lovers  do  not  act  that  way,  my  lord,  and 
you  know  it." 

"  I  give  it  up,"  I  sighed.  "  There  is  no  power  but  a  revelation  from  heav- 
en can  convince  you  that  I  speak  the  truth." 

"  Not  unless  backed  by  reliable  and  responsible  witnesses,  my  lord.  But 
now  we  understand  one  another.  Go  your  way,  if  you  want  to.  I  have  no 
power  to  detain  you  more.  Wander  where  you  will,  do  as  you  will,  but  go 
not  near  that  girl  Kitty,  or  there  will  be  trouble,  as  sure  as  my  name  is 
Murden.  Her  house  is  watched,  and  will  be  for  several  days.  Go,  my 
lord,"  and  he  stepped  back  and  one  side,  and  removed  his  cap  as  he  bowed. 
"  Go,  and  leave  a  ruined  and  broken  life  behind  you.  You  have  crushed 
the  sweetest  flower  in  all  Australia,  and  I  hope  you  will  be  d — d  for  it." 

"O  Mr.  Murden,"  I  cried,  "if  you  would  but  believe  me.  If  you  knew 
how  much  I  love  my  wife,  if  you  would  but  comprehend  my  delicacy,"  I 
pleaded. 

"  Blast  your  delicacy,"  was  the  rough  rejoinder.  "It  won't  wash  here  in 
Australia.  I  know  something  about  it,  and  have  heard  of  it  in  a  dozen  dif- 
ferent cases.  But  I  have  had  my  say,  and  have  done  with  you  and  your 
love  affairs.  Good-night,  my  lord.  Remember  my  warning." 

He  put  on  his  cap,  and  walked  off  in  one  direction,  and  I  in  another,  but, 
as  I  left  the  extensive  grounds  that  surrounded  the  house,  I  turned,  and 
took  one  farewell  look  at  my  wife's  chamber.  It  was  still  brilliantly  illumi- 
nated, but  there  were  shadows  flitting  back  and  forth,  from  window  to  win- 
dow, and,  with  a  sob  of  pain,  I  turned  into  Victoria  Parade,  and  plodded 
along  until  I  saw  a  hansom,  with  the  driver  fast  asleep  on  the  box,  standing 
on  the  corner,  waiting  for  a  belated  customer  like  myself.  I  did  not  know 
where  the  Hen  and  Chickens,  my  chop  house,  was  located,  but  I  determined 
to  find  it,  and  leave  the  city  as  early  as  possible  in  the  morning.  The 
clock  struck  two  as  I  awakened  the  cabman,  and  told  him  where  to  take  me. 

"  No.  short  commons  for  me,  yer  know,"  he  said.  "  I  vants  a  crown  to 
take  a  swell  like  yer  at  this  'our,  yer  know." 

"  All  right,  you  shall  have  it.     Drive  on.     I  shall  be  locked  out,"  I  said. 

••  No  danger  of  that,  sir.  •  They  is  hall  nighters  at  the  'En." 

He  drove  on  through  the  rough,  deserted  streets,  and  not  a  soul  did  we 
encounter,  except  an  occasional  policeman,  and  some  huge  bullock  teams, 
drawn  by  eight  and  ten  head  of  cattle,  on  their  return  trips  to  the  country 
for  wool  and  hides,  and  other  produce. 

In  ten  minutes  we  pulled  up  near  the  door  of  the  Hen  and  Chickens. 
We  could  not  stop  just  in  front  of  the  hotel,  for  a  large  covered  wagon  to 


124  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

which  was  attached  four  horses,  blocked  the  way.  I  paid  the  driver  his 
crown,  and  even  then  he  had  the  impudence  to  demand  pourboire,  or  a 
glass  of  beer,  and,  as  I  was  too  miserable  to  refuse,  I  told  him  to  go  into 
the  bar,  and  get  what  he  wanted. 

As  I  entered  the  tap-room  I  saw  the  head  waiter  seated  at  a  table,  and 
drinking* beer  with  a  man  who  was  evidently  the  driver  of  the  team  standing 
at  the  door.  He  was  dressed  in  coarse  woollen  garments,  trousers  tucked 
in  high  boots,  and  a  broad-brimmed  felt  hat  thrown  back  from  a  face  that 
was  unmistakably  Irish,  but  with  such  a  good-humored  expression  that  I 
was  quite  attracted  by  it. 

The  head  waiter  jumped  up,  and  came  toward  me  as  I  entered. 

"'Ad  about  given  yer  hup,  sir,  for  the  night,"  he  said.  "  The  chamber- 
maid 'as  been  in  'ere  a  dozen  times  to  ax  for  yer,  and  to  see  that  yer  vos 
hall  right  for  the  night.  She  is  spoons  on  yer  by  a  great  deal,  and  she  nev- 
er vos  so  afore ;  but  I  told  'er  that  yer  vos  a  swell,  and  not  the  kind  of 
game  that  vould  stoop  to  'er,  and  she  jist  said  I  vos  to  mind  my  hown  busi- 
ness, and  not  to  meddle  vid  'ers.  But  yer  is  hall  right  now,  and  vot  did  yer 
think  of  the  play,  and  the  Belle  of  Australia?  Ah,  she 's  a  rum  one  for 
good  looks,  I  'm  told,  and  it  's  said  that  a  big  swell  vos  to  run  in  'arness  vid 
'er.  Vill  yer  'ave  somethin'  'ot  or  cold,  beer  and  a  bit  of  cheese  ?  " 

During  all  this  conversation  on  the  part  of  the  head  waiter,  I  had  been 
examining  the  face  of  the  Irish  stockman,  until  at  last  he  grew  restless  un- 
der my  scrutiny,  and  said,  — 

"  Well,  young  feller,    yer  will  know  me  agin,  I  'm  after  thinking,  begor." 

"  No  offence,  mate,"  I  replied.  "  I  was  just  wondering  whether  you  would 
join  me  in  a  pot  of  half-and-half,  and  a  bit  of  bread  and  cheese." 

"  Sure  I  will  if  yer  honor  will  stand  the  trate,"  was  the  reply  with  a  grin. 

The  head  waiter  brought  the  bread  and  cheese  and  beer,  and  then  joined 
us. 

"  Is  that  your  team  at  the  door  ?  "  I  asked  of  the  stockman. 

"  Sure  it  is  not,  but  my  employer's,  sur,  bad  luck  to  him  for  a  miser." 

"  Do  you  leave  the  city  tonight  ?  "  I  asked,  thinking  that  I  saw  a  way  to 
escape. 

"  Faith  and  I  do,  in  less  than  half  an  hour,  if  I  can  get  through  wid  me 
beer  by  that  toime." 

"  Where  are  you  going  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  To  the  master's  shape  run,  about  tin  miles  from  Ballarat.  We  pass 
through  Slabtown,  and  have  an  aisy  journey  of  it,  for  we  goes  in  the  night, 
and  avoid  the  hate." 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  125 

"  Ballarat  ?  Is  n't  that  the  place  where  gold  is  found  in  such  large  quan- 
tities?" I  demanded. 

"Shure  it  is,  sur,  when  yer  is  in  the  luck.  But,  begor,  all  a'n't  in  that 
way  at  all.  But  some  makes  a  stroike  once  in  a  while.  There  was  Pat 
Maguire,  he  had  the  divil's  own  luck." 

"What  will  you  charge  to  give  me  a  lift  on  the  way  to  Ballarat  ?  I  want 
to  go  there,  and  try  my  luck  in  the  mines.  I  am  an  American,  and  a 
stranger  here." 

"  An  American  ?  Whoop  !  do  yer  think  I  'm  a  hathen  to  ax  yer  a  penny 
for  all  the  ridin'  I  can  give  yer  ?  Shure  yer  welcome  to  go  wid  me,  and  to 
stay  on  the  run  where  I  look  after  the  shape  as  long  as  yer  want  to,  and  no 
money  shall  it  cost  yer.  But  yer  can't  go  in  thim  clothes.  They  be  too 
noice." 

"  1  have  others.  I  will  go  with  you,  but  shall  insist  upon  paying  my 
passage." 

"  Faith,  yer  may  insist  all  yer  want  to,  but  Orish  Mike  is  not  the  buy  to 
take  money  from  an  American,  now  yer  belave  it.  I  has  a  brother  there, 
and  nine  fust  cousins,  and,  perhaps,  yer  knows  'em.  They  is  in  a  place 
called  New  York,  and  all  doin'  well,  wid  lushin's  of  whiskey  every  day,  and 
but  little  to  do.  Whoop  !  but  don't  I  wish  that  I  was  there,  and  perhaps  I 
shall  be  some  day.  Who  knows  ?  " 

The  head  waiter  and  Mike  exchanged  significant  looks,  and  then  I  told 
the  former  that  I  would  run  up  to  my  room,  change  my  clothes,  leave  in  his 
charge  all  the  best  that  I  owned,  and  pay  him  for  taking  care  of  them  until 
I  returned.  If  I  never  returned,  he  might  keep  them,  for  which  generosity 
the  man  expressed  many  thanks. 

The  proposed  sudden  departure  was  no  cause  of  surprise  to  the  head 
waiter.  He  was  accustomed  to  it,  and  made  no  objection.  He  went  with 
me  to  my  chamber,  helped  me  assort  my  clothes,  and  dress  in  gray  flannel 
shirt  and  trousers,  wide-brimmed  hat,  California  boots,  and  spurs,  and  belt 
containing  revolver  and  bowie-knife.  The  change  of  costume  I  thought 
would  disguise  my  appearance  so  much  that  no  one  would  recognize  me. 
The  poorest  of  my  wardrobe,  with  towels,  brushes,  and  hammock,  I  resolved  to 
take  with  me,  and  the  head  waiter  carried  all  down-stairs,  and  put  them 
in  the  cart.  I  gave  him  a  shilling  for  his  trouble,  paid  for  my  refreshments, 
and  then,  in  the  goodness  of  his  heart,  the  waiter  filled  my  large  pocket 
flask  with  brandy,  and  I  was  ready,  and  so  was  Mike. 

'•  Come  'ere  agin,  sir,"  cried  the  waiter,  as  we  mounted  the  wagon.  "  Hoi- 
ways  glad  to  see  yer.  Vot  shall  I  tell  the  chamber-maid,  sir  ?  " 


T26  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


Mike  awoke  the  horses,  and  we  were  off,  so  I  did  not  have  to  send  a  mes- 
sage to  the  girl. 

Through  the  avenues  of  Melbourne  we  rumbled,  over  the  rough  streets 
and  roads,  across  the  bridge  that  spans  the  Yarrow,  out  into  the  country, 
and  on  the  dry,  dusty  thoroughfares  we  plodded  our  way  ;  and,  while  I  sat 
with  head  bowed  on  my  breast,  and  tears  fast  falling  from  my  eyes,  how  lit- 
tle I  thought  that  in  the  mansion  I  had  so  recently  left  there  was  bustle  and 
confusion>  and  that  lights  flashed  from  many  windows,  and  that  in  the  rich- 
ly furnished  chamber  I  had  entered  as  a  husband,  there  was  lying  a  young, 
pale-faced  girl,  clutching  wildly  at  the  cool  night  air,  moaning,  and  tossing 
her  fair  head  from  side  to  side,  and  finding  no  rest  on  the  soft  pillows,  her 
eyes  parched,  and  from  which  no  tears  would  flow,  begging  and  pleading 
in  incoherent  tones  to  her  mother,  who  knelt  by  the  bedside  with  trembling 
hands  and  bitter  sighs,  for  pardon,  for  love,  and  the  return  to  her  arms  of 
her  young  husband,  while  through  the  streets  of  the  city  hansoms  raced 
from  place  to  place,  and  three  men,  all  sober  from  the  effects  of  wine,  but 
drunk  with  rage  and  passion,  armed  with  pistols  and  rapier,  went  from  club 
to  hotel,  from  billiard  saloon  to  free-and-easy,  dance  hall  to  cellar,  in  every 
place  that  a  wild,  thoughtless  nobleman  would  be  likely  to  frequent,  in 
search  of  the  man  who  had  unwittingly  ruined  the  happiness,  the  mind  and 
the  reason  of  the  Belle  of  Australia;  but  neither  in  dance  hall,  nor  in  free- 
and-easy,  in  hotel  or  club  house,  did  the  angry  men  find  the  object  of  their 
search,  and,  as  a  last  resort,  Mr.  Kebblewhite  routed  out  Mr.  Murden,  the 
Chief  of  Police,  and,  in  tones  that  were  wild,  and  trembling  with  passion, 
demanded  his  aid  in  arresting,  and  bringing  back  to  his  house,  the  young 
nobleman  who  had  insulted  his  daughter,  and  the  whole  tribe  of  Kebble- 
whites,  and  a  reward  of  one  hundred  pounds  was  offered  to  the  man  who 
should  be  so  fortunate  as  to  lay  his  rough  hands  on  my  shoulder,  and  claim 
me  as  a  prisoner,  as  the  reason,  health,  and  happiness  of  the  newly  wedded 
wife  depended  upon  the  prompt  execution  of  the  order.  But  of  this  I  was 
blissfully  unconscious,  for  had  I  known  all  I  should  have  returned  to  the 
mansion,  and  by  my  presence  soothed  the  unhappy  Belle  of  Australia,  and, 
perhaps,  even  then  there  would  have  been  pardon  and  happiness  for  the 
young  wife  and  husband.  But  I  did  not  know  all  that  was  transpiring  in 
the  city,  and  so  rode  onward,  and  left  civilization  and  comfort,  ease  and 
plenty  far  behind  me,  and  I  did  not  again  see  the  city  that  sheltered  my 
love  for  many  a  long  and  dreary  day. 


BAD    LUCK    TO   YER,    YER    SPALPEEN!"    ROARED    MIKE    AS    HE    ROLLED  OVER   THE   TRUNK   OF   THE   TREE. 

PART   VI. 

A     JOURNEY,    AND     A     MOUNTED     POLICEMAN'S     HALT.  —  THE    NOISES    OF 
THE    FOREST.  —  A     CUP    OF    TEA    AND    THE    KANGAROO.  —  THE 
QUAKER    AND    HIS    QUESTIONS.  —  OLD   WEBBER   AND 
HIS  BLOOMING   DAUGHTER.  —  AN    INDUCE- 
MENT. —  MIKE     GIVES     ME     A 
SOLEMN     WARNING. 

't  1  7HILE  Mr.  Anderson  Kebblewhite,  and  his  son,  Mr.  Judson  Kebble. 
*  *  white,  and  Monsieur  Allete,  were  searching  ever}*  public  and  private 
resort  in  Melbourne,  with  vengeance  in  their  minds,  and  murder  in  their 
hearts,  and  while  the  white,  stern-faced  Frenchman  was  uttering  the  most 
fascinating  of  oaths,  in  a  strange  mixture  of  English  and  his  native  dialect, 
vowing  that  he  would  plunge  his  sharp-pointed  rapier  in  the  breast  of  the 
noble  lord  who  had  dared  to  trifle  with  the  honor  and  fair  fame  of  the  Belle 
of  Australia,  the  pride  and  delight  of  her  father  and  friends,  I  was  journey- 
ing through  the  suburbs  of  the  city,  past  handsome  villas,  low  drinking  tav- 
erns, stockmen's  shanties,  sheep  stations,  native's  huts,  of  grass  and  branch- 


128  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

es,  scrub  and  swamp,  tall  trees,  and  extensive  farms,  occasionally  meeting 
a  mounted  policeman,  who  eyed  us  sharply,  but  suffered  us  to  pass  unchal- 
lenged, and  all  that  time  I  had  not  exchanged  a  word  with  Mike,  my  com- 
panion. He  had  seen  that  I  was  in  trouble,  and,  with  a  delicacy  peculiar  to 
the  sympathetic  people  of  his  race,  had  not  interrupted  the  flow  of  my  grief, 
or  attempted  to  make  me  converse.  But,  as  the  horses  trotted  on,  and  all 
signs  of  the  city  began  to  disappear,  and  the  country  to  grow  wild  and  un- 
cultivated, Mike  lighted  his  pipe,  handed  a  bottle  toward  me,  and  said, — 

"  It  's  a  sorrowful  load  yer  is  carryin'  in  yer  breast,  mate,  so  take  a  sup  of 
this,  and  sa  if  it  won't  lighten  the  spell  that  's  on  yer.  Whiskey  for  the 
man  what  's  had  a  misfortune,  and  tay  for  them  what  don't  need  cheerin'. 
Come,  mate,  rouse  up,  and  be  a  man.  Yer  is  young,  and  there  's  more  lass- 
es than  one  in  the  world,  and,  faith,  wid  yer  swell  looks  and  face,  divil  a  fear 
but  that  ye  '11  find  anither  gal  what  will  jump  into  yer  arms,  and  put  her 
pritty  head  on  yer  shoulder.  Bedad,  don't  I  know  all  about  it.  I  Ve  been 
there  as  often  as  any  buy  of  my  inches,  and  Orish  Mike  is  still  unblessed  by 
praist  and  the  troubles  of  a  wife.  Whoop,  get  up  thar,  yer  blunderin'  hold 
idiots,  what  don't  know  no  more  than  to  go  to  slape  while  walkin'  in  a  road 
that  is  na  deep  in  dust,  except  in  the  winter  when'itis  waist  deep  in  mud 
and  water.  Away  wid  yer,  cr  we  won't  be  home  for  a  wake." 

The  last  remarks  were  addressed  to  the  horses,  who  desired  to  walk,  and 
go  to  sleep,  instead  of  moving  onward  at  a  steady  trot. 

I  took  a  little  sip  from  the  bottle  to  please  Mike,  and  it  did  delight  him. 

"  Whoop  !  that  does  me  good,"  he  cried.  '•  No  more  sorrer  for  a  woo- 
min,  if  it 's  one  that  makes  yer  face  look  like  the  winding  shate  at  a  wake. 
Begor,  chere  up,  and  it  's  lots  of  fun  we  '11  have  afore  we  raches  the  shape 
run,  where  I  has  the  charge." 

"Ah,  Mike,"  I  said,  "  I  shall  never  smile  again.     My  heart  is  broken." 

"  Bedad,  but  that  's  a  mistake  entirely  now.  If  yer  heart  was  broken  it  's 
under  the  ground  yer  'd  be,  and  the  daisies  growin'  at  yer  head,  and  all  yer 
relations  fightin'  for  yer  property." 

"  But  I  have  no  property." 

"  So  much  the  bitter.  We  can  be  more  sociable  loike.  If  yer  had  mon- 
ey ye  'd  not  be  talkin'  wid  the  loikes  of  me." 

"  There  you  are  mistaken,  Mike.  I  like  a  man  for  what  he  is,  and  not 
for  what  he  is  worth." 

"  Do  yer?  Well,  it  's  a  mighty  queer  place  yer  has  come  to  thin,  and  it  's 
not  many  yer  '11  find  to  kape  yer  company.  But  tell  me,  mate,  is  yer  sor- 
rowful 'cos  the  lass  has  shipped  yer,  and  taken  anoother  ?  " 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  129 


'•  No,  Mike,  it  s  not  that." 

"  Has  yer  married  her  ?  or  has  she  dided  ?  " 

"  She  is  not  dead,  Mike,  but  I  am  married  to  her." 

"  And  has  she  gone  off  wid  anoother  man  ?  " 

"  No,  she  is  incapable  of  such  a  crime." 

"  And  yer  has  not  gone  off  wid  anoother  woman  ?  " 

"  No,  Mike,  far  from  it." 

"Then,  bedad,  yer  jist  bate  me  :  but  of  wun  thing  be  sure,  jist  as  true  as 
the  pole  points  to  the  nadle,  or  the  nadle  points  to  the  pole,  I  jist  don't 
know  which,  yer  may  count  on  wun  thing,  and  that  is  yer  two  will  come  to- 
gether agin,  no  matter  whar  yer  may  be." 

"  Do  you  think  so,  Mike  ?  "  I  asked,  really  hopeful  under  his  rough  con- 
solation. 

"  Sure,  I  know  it,  sur.  A  wooman  is  a  strange  sort  of  crature,  arter  all. 
If  she  runs  from  her  hoosband  wid  anoother  man  she  is  always  ready  for  to 
be  forgiven,  but  if  he  runs  away  wid  anoother  wooman  divil  a  bit  will  she 
let  up  on  him.  Now,  yer  has  not  offended  her  finer  sensibilities,  as  they 
call  it,  and  she  has  not  woounded  yers,  and  so  there  will  be  a  re-union  at 
some  time,  be  sure.  A  wooman  can  draw  a  man  all  over  the  globe  if  she 
wants  to.  Sure  one  drew  me  to  this  country,  and  bad  luck  to  her." 

"  How  was  that,  Mike  ?  " 

"  Well,  sur,  loight  yer  pipe,  and  I  '11  tell  yer.     Yer  see,  sur,  I  'm  a  lag" 

"  A  what  ?  "  I  asked,  for  I  had  never  heard  the  word  before. 

"  A  lag,  sur.     Sure,  I  spake  the  word  as  plain  as  pussible." 

"  Yes,  but  I  do  not  know  what  a  lag  is.     I  am  new  to  Australia." 

"  Yer  must  be,  sur,  not  to  know  what  a  lag  is.  I  thought  everybody 
knew  what  a  lag  is.  The  country  is  full  of  'em,  sur." 

"  Possibly,  but  I  do  not  know  all  the  terms  you  use  here.  Recollect  I  am 
from  America." 

"True,  sur,  and  God  bless  yer  honor  for  comin'  from  a  land  where  a 
man  can  vote,  and  get  elected  to  the  highest  office  the  furst  year  he  lands, 
and  for  ivery  vote  he  casts,  he  gets  lushin's  of  whiskey,  as  me  brother  writes. 
But  a  lag,  sur,  is  a  convict,  sure." 

"  And  you  are  a  convict  ?  "  I  asked,  with  a  square  look  at  the  frank  face, 
and  broad  grin,  extending  from  ear  to  ear. 

"  And  why  not,  sur  ?     There  's  plinty  of  'em  round  here." 

"  But  you  are  at  large.     You  are  free  to  do  as  you  plea»e." 

"  Not  quite,  sur.  I  'm  not  quite  free  as  yet,  'cos  I  'm  a  ticket-of-lave  man, 
and  the  police  kape  an  eye  on  me.  But  next  wake,  plase  God,  me  time  will 
9 


13d  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


be  up,  and  I  shall  be  fray  to  go  whar  I  plase,  and  do  what  I  plase,  and  the 
bloody  traps,  bad  luck  to  'em,  can't  lay  wun  of  their  dirty  fingers  on  me.  I 
reported  to  the  office  in  Melbourne  yesterday  for  the  last  time,  and  that  's 
what  sint  me  to  the  city  wid  a  small  load  of  wool,  and  to  git  a  stock  of  tay 
and  sugar  for  the  run  and  the  min.  Whoop  !  and  won't  I  be  off  to  other 
diggin's  next  wake.  I  've  had  enough  shape  runnin'  to  last  me  for  all  me 
loif." 

"  But  you  have  not  told  me  why  you  were  transported,  and  how  a  woman 
drew  you  all  the  way  from  Old  Ireland  to  this  country,"  I  said. 

"  True  for  yer,  sur,  I  have  not,  'cos  I  kapes  that  for  the  last,  as  it  's  the 
wust  of  all.  Yer  see,  sur,  I  was  transported  to  this  God-forsaken  country 
for  havin'  a  little  crack  at  a  landlord/' 

"  Do  you  mean  that  you  shot  at  him,  Mike  ?  " 

"  That  's  what  I  do  mane,  sur,  and  a  moighty  inane  man  he  was.  Yer  see 
he  kept  puttin'  up  the  rint,  and  I  determined  to  put  him  down,  and  one 
night  I  peppered  him  from  behind  a  hedge.  Lord,  sur,  yer  would  have  died 
laughin'  to  see  him  jump.  Me  gun  was  loaded  wid  small  shot,  and  they  all 
hit  him  below  the  belt.  He  jist  clapped  his  hands  behind  him,  and 
scrached  that  loud  that  yer  could  have  heard  him  a  mile.  Will,  sur,  I  was 
looked  arter  by  the  buys,  and  kept  out  of  the  way  of  the  bloody  peelers,  but 
wun  night  I  got  word  that  me  gurl  wanted  me  to  come  to  her  cabin,  and  I 
wint,  and  the  furst  thing  I  knowed  the  purlice  had  me  by  the  arms  and  the 
neck,  and  I  was  locked  up,  and  convicted,  and  that 's  the  way  a  wooman 
drew  me  to  this  country,  bad  luck  to  'em." 

Mike  lighted  his  pipe  again,  took  a  sip  from  the  black  bottle,  whistled  to 
h's  horses,  and,  after  offering  me  a  drink,  which  I  declined,  once  more 
continued,  — 

"  Now,  sur,"  he  said,  "  when  yer  go  back  to  Amerikee  I  want  yer  to  take 
me  wid  yer.  Faith,  but  it  's  a  nice  helpmate  I  '11  be  for  yer,  and  no  wages 
asked  for,  and  I  '11  be  the  best  friend  yer  iver  had  in  this  wourld,  man  or 
wooman." 

"  You  forget,  Mike,  that  I  am  poor,  and  have  but  little  hope  of  making 
money  just  at  present.  I  am  going  to  Ballarat  to  see  if  I  can  find  a  lucky 
strike  in  the  mines,  or  at  least  to  look  about,  and  see  what  1  can  do  to  make 
a  living." 

*'  Divil  doubt  but  that  ye  '11  have  the  illegant  luck.  I  see  it  in  yer  face. 
Yer  was  born  under  a  lucky  star,  and  will  be  a  rich  man.  and  live  wid  the 
wun  yer  is  now  laviri'  miny  and  miny  a  year  to  come.  I  wants  no  wages 
till  yer  can  be  ready  to  pay  me,  and,  let  me  whisper  in  yer  ear,  1  've  a  him- 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  131 

dred  puns  in  the  bank  at  Melbourne,  all  of  which  I  have  arned  since  I  Ve 
been  a  ticket-of-lave  man,  now  eight  years,  for  I  was  sintenced  for  tin  years, 
and  all  that  money  yer  can  have,  and  no  questions  axed,  as  long  as  yer  want, 
to  do  wid  jist  what  yer  plase,  and  yer  shall  be  the  capen,  and  I  '11  be  a  plane 
man,  and  do  yer  biddin',  from  crackin'  a  head  to  diggin'  for  gould.  Oh,  it 
is  illegant  times  we  '11  have,  and  when  yer  is  rich  we  '11  go  to  Amerikee,  and 
ye  '11  run  for  alderman  or  mayor,  and,  O  Lord !  won't  we  live  on  the  fat  of 
the  land,  and  won't  I  make  the  lads  from  Limerick  vote  for  yer  ivery  time, 
and  as  often  as  is  necessary.  Sure  ye  '11  be  as  rich  a  purson  as  old  Kebble- 
white,  the  mane  old  divil." 

"  Mr.  Kebblewhite  ?  "  I  repeated.     "  Do  you  know  him?  " 

"  Know  him  ?  Sure,  don't  I  know  him.  He  's  me  master,  and  owns  me 
shape  run,  and  fifty  thoosand  acres  of  land,  and  twenty  thoosand  as  nice 
shape  as  can  be  found  in  all  Victoria.  Sure  I  ought  to  know  him.  I  've 
worked  for  him  eight  years.  Oh,  but  he  's  jist  lushin'  rich,  he  is,  and  owns 
more  stores  and  more  wool  than  any  man  in  the  city." 

"  Do  you  mean  Mr.  Anderson  Kebblewhite,  Mike,  —  a  stout,  red-faced 
man  ?  " 

u  The  same,  sur.  He  lives  on  Victoria  Parade,  in  a  big  house,  and  has  a 
nice  darter.  O  my,  a'n't  she  the  stepper,  and  the  beauty  ?  I  seed  her  on 
the  strate,  and  it  seamed  that  her  little  foots  did  n't  touch  the  ground,  for 
she  'd  jist  skim  over  it.  She  's  called  the  Belle  of  Australia,  and  no  won- 
der, for  there  's  not  anoother  lass  in  these  parts  that  can  hold  a  candle  to 
her.  Faith,  but  I  wish  yer  could  have  sane  her.  Yer  would  have  sighed 
wuss  than  yer  do  now,  and,  the  divil  fly  away  wid  me,  but  yer  two  would 
have  made  a  nice  pair,  she  all  goold  and  white,  loike  the  pale  rose  at  sun- 
rise, and  yer  a  little  brown,  loike  a  stately  gum-tree  at  sunset.  Ah  me,  but 
she  's  not  for  the  loikes  of  us,  as  I  heard  that  she  was  married  yesterday  to 
a  big  swell  from  the  Ould  Country,  and  I  '11  bet  me  hundred  puns  that  he 
makes  her  heart  ache  afore  he  's  done  wid  her." 

I  turned  away  my  head  to  prevent  Mike  seeing  the  tears  that  would  start 
to  my  eyes,  as  I  thought  of  Florence,  and  our  singular  marriage.  How  lit- 
tle the  Irishman  suspected  that  I  was  the  "  swell,"  as  he  called  the  bride- 
groom, who  had  wedded  the  Belle  of  Australia,  and  was  now  flying  for  his 
life,  and  in  search  of  happiness  far  away  from  the  lady  he  so  dearly  loved. 

"  Let  us  hope  that  she  will  be  happy.  Mike,"  I  said,  as  soon  as  I  could 
command  my  voice. 

"  Yes,  sur,  wid  all  me  heart.  Sure,  if  her  father  is  a  mane  old  kermug- 
gin,  the  nice  young  gurl  is  not  to  blame.  But  now  I  hopes  he  's  satisfied. 


132  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


He  always  wanted  a  suction  of  the  harastocracy  for  his  son-in  law,  and  now 
he  has  him." 

Mike  had  made  a  slight  mistake  in  a  word,  following  in  this  respect  his 
employer,  but  it  was  not  worth  while  correcting  him.  He  was  so  honest  in 
his  opinion,  that  it  was  better  to  let  him  have  his  own  way. 

"  And  to  think,"  continued  Mike,  "  that  old  Kebblewhite  should  be  sich 
a  rich  man.  He  's  jist  picked  up  goold  by  the  shovelful ;  and,  arter  all,  Ju 
was  only  a  lag  hike  me" 

"What?"  I  asked,  turning  on  Mike  so  suddenly,  that  he  dropped  his 
match,  and  nearly  broke  his  pipe. 

"  Sure  he  was  a  lag.  I  thought  i  very  body  knew  that.  He  kapes  it 
mighty  close,  and  I  heard  that  he  was  afeared  his  swell  son-in-law  would 
hear  of  it,  and  so  skip  out.  But  it  sanies  that  he  did  n't.  Oh,  the  old  feller 
was  given  twenty  years,  him  and  an  old  servant  what  he  has,  who  is  called 
Harry.  They  was  fust-class  bugglars,  and  cracked  a  bank,  and  got  nabbed. 
Old  Kebblewhite  behaved  hisself,  and  got  a  ticket-of-lave  the  fust  year  or 
two,  and  he  went  on  a  shape  run,  and  saw  what  was  what,  and  then  he  start- 
ed for  hisself,  and  grew  rich,  and  then  he  bought  and  sold  wool,  and  made 
more  money,  and  he  kept  buying  land,  and  more  shape,  and  stores  and  land 
in  the  city,  and  when  his  time  was  out,  that  was  twenty-six  years  ago,  he 
was  jist  bustin'  wid  wealth.  He  married  a  nice  wooman,  a  real  lady,  I  'm 
told,  who  was  poor,  and  had  n't  any  friends,  and  so  was  glad  to  take  even  an 
old  lag,  but  I  'm  informed  that  he  's  a  good  husband  to  her,  and  loves  his 
darter,  and  no  wonder  that  he  does,  for  she  's  worth  lovin',  and  a  credit  to 
any  man." 

I  had  lighted  my  pipe  while  Mike  was  relating  this  wonderful  piece  of 
family  history,  and  now  I  could  understand  some  of  the  mystery  which  had 
surrounded  Mr.  Kebblewhite  and  me.  I  could  comprehend  why  the  Earl 
of  Afton,  if  there  was  such  a  man,  had  failed  to  keep  his  engagement,  even 
if  he  had  any  intention  to  do  so.  The  story  of  transportation  for  burglary 
had  reached  his  ears,  and  he  had  fled  at  the  last  moment,  fearful  of  casting 
a  blot  upon  the  honor  of  his  house  by  wedding  the  true,  pure-hearted  daugh 
ter  of  a  convicted  felon.  This  was  the  cause  of  Mr.  Murden's  surmises  and 
questions,  of  Mrs.  Kebblewhite's  delicate  inquiries  at  the  hour  I  made 
my  revelations ;  and  now  all  was  plain  to  me,  why  Mr.  Kebblewhite  desired 
to  form  an  alliance  for  his  daughter  that  would  raise  her  out  of  the  ranks  of 
ordinary  society,  and  lift  her  and  her  family  up  to  a  height  that  no  other 
merchant  in  Melbourne  could  expect  to  obtain.  But  his  ambitious  schemes 
were  frustrated  by  the  very  person  whom  he  had  counted  on  to  do  the  work. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  133 


The  daughter's  beauty  had  done  its  part,  but  pride  had  proved  stronger 
than  love,  and  the  lordly  suitor  had  left  the  city,  and  I,  in  some  singular 
manner,  had  taken  his  place,  and  wedded  the  girl  who  was  to  accomplish 
such  a  miracle  for  her  family.  Did  I  regret  it  ?  No,  a  thousand  times  no. 
I  would  have  married  her,  loved  her,  and  protected  her,  if  I  had  been  a 
duke  instead  of  only  an  American  citizen,  poor  and  unknown.  Her  fathers 
previous  history  would  not  have  made  the  slightest  difference  to  me.  It 
was  Florence  whom  I  loved  and  respected,  not  her  wealth  and  surroundings. 
She  was  the  first  one  that  I  had  ever  admired  and  really  loved,  and  I  felt 
that  she  would  be  the  last.  How  I  prayed  that  night  that  God  would  soften 
the  stroke  that  had  fallen  upon  her  golden  head,  that  God  would  heal  the 
wounds,  which  now  lacerated  her  heart,  would  dry  up  her  tears,  and  once 
more  bring  smiles  to  the  pale,  unhappy  looking  face,  so  beautiful  in  its  girl- 
ish beauty  on  the  night  that  she  had  placed  her  little  hand  in  my  own,  and 
pledged  her  heart  and  herself  to  be  mine  forever.  Had  all  the  world  been 
against  her  I  would  have  stood  up  and  loved  her,  and  clung  to  her  only  the 
more  closely.  But  she  had  repudiated  me  in  the  first  moment  of  disappoint- 
ment, she  had  turned  upon  me  as  soon  as  she  found  that  I  could  not  lift 
her  up  to  the  position  to  which  she  aspired,  and  when  I  would  have  had  a 
kind  word  for  a  last  fare  well,  she  had  not  responded  by  a  look  or  gesture, 
but  had  let  me  go  forth  into  the  night  without  hope  or  forgiveness.  All 
these  things  I  thought  of,  and  how  long:  I  thought  of  them  I  do  not  know, 
for  I  was  aroused  by  the  voice  of  Mike  asking,  — 

"  Well,  sur,  what  is  yer  thinkin'  of  now  ?  " 

"  The  Belle  of  Australia,  Mike." 

"Well,  sur,  I  'd  not  think  of  her  at  all,  'cos  she  's  beyond  yer  rach.  She 
is  married,  and  yer  must  not  think  of  married  ladies,  when  a  good-lookin' 
feller  loike  yerself  can  foind  plinty  of  single  ones  what  would  jump  at  yer 
loike  a  kangaroo  at  a  dog,  or  a  native  black  at  an  opossum.  Come,  sur,  tell 
me  what  yer  think  of  me  offer.  Will  yer  take  me  wid  yer,  and  let  me  sarve 
yer?" 

"  I  don't  know  what  to  say  to  your  proposition,  Mike." 

"  Then  say  'Yes.'  Yer  shall  niver  repint  it.  Yer  sa,  sur,  I  '11  drive  the 
tame  to  the  shape  run,  stay  me  time  out,  and  thin  jist  pack  up  me  traps,  and 
come  to  yer  at  Ballarat.  I  'm  only  tin  miles  from  the  mines,  and  wun  of  the 
buys  will  take  me  over  some  day.  I  '11  find  yer,  and  thin  we  '11  go  in  for  a 
fortune,  and  a  good  time.  I  '11  sind  for  me  money,  and  yer  can  use  it  jist  as 
yer  say  fit,  divil  a  bit  do  I  care  as  long  as  yer  take  care  of  it  for  me,  and  let 
me  go  wid  yer  to  Amerikee," 


134  The  Belle  of  Atistralia. 

"  No,  Mike,  you  keep  your  money  just  where  it  is.  Do  not  remove  it 
from  the  bank,  for  I  would  not  touch  it  on  any  account.  I  have  a  little  of 
my  own,  and  will  make  that  answer  until  we  can  look  around,  and  see  what 
we  can  do  in  mining." 

"  And  ye  '11  take  me,  sur  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Mike,  we  '11  link  our  fortunes  together,  and  see  if  we  can't  make 
some  money  in  the  next  six  months." 

"  Whoop  !  go  long  wid  yer,  yer  slapin'  brutes.  Sure  we  is  both  rich  men 
from  this  moment.  There  's  luck  wid  yer  sure  as  my  name  is  Orish  Mike. 
But,  bedad,  who  is  ridin'  loike  that  at  this  hour  of  the  mornin' ?  It 's  a 
mounted  trap  as  sure  as  I  'm  a  Christian." 

Mike's  surmises  were  correct,  for  a  mounted  policeman,  horse  and  rider 
covered  with  dust  and  foam,  drew  up  alongside  of  us,  and  checked  his 
steed. 

"Halt,"  he  cried.  "  I  wish  to  see  what  you  have  on  board,  and  to  ask  a 
few  questions." 

"  Sure,  yer  can  look  wid  all  yer  eyes,  and  yer  can  ask  as  many  questions 
as  yer  plase,"  Mike  answered. 

"  I  intend  to,"  was  the  gruff  rejoinder.  "  When  did  you  leave  Mel- 
bourne ? " 

"  About  two  o'clock,  I  think,"  Mike  answered. 

"  Have  you  seen  a  wrell-dressed  gentleman  on  the  road,  traveling  on  foot 
or  in  a  carriage  ?  A  young  man,  good-looking  and  smooth-spoken  ?  "  the  po- 
liceman asked. 

"  No,  sur.     Me  mate  here  and  me  has  seen  no  sich  purson." 

"  Stand  up,  and  let  me  see  you  both,"  was  the  sharp  command. 

"  Faith  we  will  sur,  if  it  will  plase  yer.  Stand  up,  mate,  as  the  gintleman 
directs.  We  nade  not  be  ashamed  of  our  good  looks,  aven  at  this  hour  of 
the  mornin',  when  we  has  not  had  our  bath  or  clane  linen,  or  barber  to 
comb  our  hair." 

"  None  of  your  jesting  with  me,  Mike.     I  know  you,  and  you  know  me." 

"  Faith,  it 's  none  but  good  yer  knows  of  me,  and  miny  a  chop  of  mutton, 
and  hot  damper,  I  've  given  yer,  Mr.  Larry,  and  miny  a  sip  out  of  the  bot- 
tle on  a  dark,  rainy  night,  when  yer  has  been  scoutin'  for  bushrangers." 

"  True,  Mike,  but  I  have  no  time  to  recall  old  times.  There  's  the  devil 
and  all  to  pay  in  the  city.  The  swell  that  married  old  Kebblewhite's  daugh- 
ter has  cut  and  run,  and  we  must  find  him.  A  hundred  pounds  to  the  offi- 
cer who  secures  him,"  the  policeman  cried 

"And  must  I   have  a  crack  at  him  if  I   should  mate  him  on  the  road? 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  135 

Sure,  a  hundred  puns  is  much  money,  and  I  'd  loike  it.  L'egor,  I  has  me 
old  musket  here  in  the  wagon,  and  it  's  loaded  wid  six  fingers,  and  I  could 
blow  the  head  off  of  man  or  baste,  if  I  wunce  drew  on  him." 

••  Xot  for  your  life,"  was  the  stern  command.  "  He  's  a  big  lord,  and  a 
little  luny,  it  is  said.  He  's  to  be  treated  with  the  utmost  respect,  but  he  is 
to  be  returned  to  the  city.  The  Chief  wants  him.  He  has  sent  out  twenty 
men  to  scour  the  roads,  and  find  him.  Whom  have  you  with  you,  Mike  ? 
Draw  a  match,  and  let  me  see  his  shape  and  make  up." 

Mike  drew  a  match,  but  it  did  not  ignite  readily,  and,  while  hunting  for 
another,  he  continued  the  conversation,  while  I  sat  silent  on  the  seat, 
dreading  an  exposure. 

;>  Is  it  for  forgere,  bugglary,  or  murder,  sur?"  asked  Mike.  "Sure  it 
must  be  a  bad  crime  that  makes  so  hot  a  chase.  To  the  divil  wid  the 
matches,  I  've  no  more,  I  don't  think." 

••  No  matter,  Mike.  I  see  your  mate  is  a  rough-dressed  fellow,  and  so 
won't  bother  you.  Go  on  if  you  want  to.  I  must  go  as  far  as  Webber's, 
and  wait  until  daylight." 

The  horseman  turned  to  resume  his  gallop,  but  Mike  stopped  him  to  ask 
a  question. 

••  Sure,  sur,  yer  don't  tell  me  if  it  's  bugglary,  murder,  or  decaivin'  of  the 
fair  sex."  he  said. 

"  I  think  it  must  be  the  last,  Mike,"  laughed  the  officer.  "  The  swell 
married  the  Belle  of  Australia  last  night,  and  it  is  supposed  that  the  happy 
couple  had  a  quarrel,  and  separated.  They  will  sometimes,  you  know.  At 
any  ra'.e  he  left  the  house,  and  can't  be  found,  and  now  old  Kebblewhite, 
his  son,  and  that  Monsieur  Allete.  all  want  him,  and  the  Chief  worst  of  all. 
A  hundred  pounds  to  the  man  \\ho  lays  hands  on  the  swell,  but  no  violence. 
He  is  rich,  and  is  no  burglar.  He  is  a  young  fellow  that  has  been  playing 
the  deuse  with  half  the  girls  of  Melbourne.  Just  like  some  men,  Mike. 
Now  you  have  had  enough  of  women,  since  you  know  what  they  are  capable 
of.  Eh?'' 

"  Yer  'd  better  belave  it,  sur." 

"  Well,  solong.  I  must  be  off.  Hope  I  shall  meet  with  that  hundred 
pounds  before  daylight." 

He  waved  his  hand,  struck  the  powerful  black  horse  with  his  spurs,  and 
was  off,  riding  as  easy  as  a  ranche^o  of  California. 

I  uttered  a  sigh  of  relief  as  the  policeman  disappeared  in  the  bright 
moonlight,  in  a  cloud  of  dust.  Mike  spoke  to  his  horses,  and  \ve  moved  on. 
The  driver  sat  silent  for  a  long  time,  seemingly  cogitating  over  some  matter 


136  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


which  he  was  trying  to  elucidate.  At  length  he  lighted  his  pipe,  took  a  pull 
at  his  bottle,  and  then  looked  me  squarely  in  the  face. 

"  Yer  honor,'' he  said,  "  that  was  a  narrow  squake  for  yer,  and  no  mistake. 
If  the  matches  had  n't  gin  out  he  'd  'a'  knowed  yer." 

"  What  do  you  mean,  Mike  ?  " 

"  Jist  what  I  say,  yer  honor.  Yer  is  the  swell  what  was  married  to  the 
Belle  of  Australia  last  night." 

I  made  no  reply. 

"  I  thought  it  was quare  that  a  swell  like  yer  should  walk  into  the 

Hen  and  Chickens,  change  his  clothes,  and  go  out  wid  me  in  this  old  tame. 
Ah,  sur,  yer  has  done  wrong  to  lave  a  young  wife  the  night  yer  was  spliced 
to  her,  and  not  let  her  know  whar  yer  was  goin' !  Go  back  to  the  lady,  and 
kiss  her,  and  tell  her  that  yer  is  sorry,  and  will  niver  do  so  no  more,  and 
then  love  her  till  the  poor  little  thing  will  think  she  's  in  paradise,  and  that 
yer  is  the  boss  angel  of  her  little  heaven.  Oh,  don't  let  the  poor  bird  flut- 
ter her  wings,  and  bate  them  against  the  scornin'  world,  with  no  husband 
to  stretch  out  his  hand  so  that  she  can  perch  on  it,  and  find  rest  when  he 
whistles.  Don't  be  hard  headed  when  I  know  that  yer  heart  is  riddy  to 
break  wid  the  love  that  yer  has  for  the  young  bride,  and  that  yer  tears  has 
sprinkled  the  road  all  the  way  from  Melbourne  loike  a  rain  in  spring.  Come, 
yer  honor,  let  me  turn  the  heads  of  the  bastes,  and,  although  I  '11  lose  time 
by  the  token,  I  '11  bate  the  lives  out  of  'em,  but  I  '11  take  yer  back  to  the 
city  afore  daybreak,  and  to  the  white  arms  and  swate  face  of  yer  wife. 
Come,  yer  honor,  let  me  entrate  yer  to  listen  to  a  man  what  has  been  drawn 
all  the  way  from  Ould  Oireland  to  this  murderin'  country." 

He  had  stopped  his  horses,  and  made  a  motion  as  if  he  would  turn  them 
in  the  direction  of  Melbourne,  but  I  quieted  him  by  a  gesture,  which  he 
did  not  fail  to  understand. 

"  No,  Mike,"  I  said,  "  I  must  not  return  to  the  city  at  the  present  time. 
It  would  be  death  to  me,  and  no  use  to  my  wife.  She  married  me  under  a 
misapprehension  ;  she  made  a  mistake,  a  dreadful  one  for  her  and  me,  but  it 
is  now  too  late  to  remedy  it." 

"  Sure,  people  are  makin'  many  mistakes  of  a  loike  nature,  but  they  don't 
disciver  them  on  their  weddin'  night,  as  agineral  thing,  for  their  eyes  is  so 
blinded  wid  love  that  they  see  nothin'  but  sunshine  and  flowers,  ice  krame 
and  cake,  a  swate  smile,  and  unlimited  letters  of  credit  on  the  stout  old 
bank  of  love,  what  was  never  known  to  be  shaky.  Oh  murder,  be  a  man 
and  a  husband  at  the  same  time,  and  let  me  return  yer  to  yer  home,  and  the 
Belle  of  Australia." 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  137 

"  Mike,"  I  said,  "  I  would  give  this  island,  or  continent,  if  I  owned  it,  to 
be  with  my  wife  at  this  moment,  and  think  the  exchange  a  cheap  one." 

"So  would  I,"  was  the  muttered  interjection. 

"But  it  must  not  be.  There  has  been  a  mistake,  and  I  could  not  rectify 
it,  do  all  1  would.  She  supposed  that  I  was  a  lord,  when  I  was  only  a  sim- 
ple citizen  of  the  United  States." 

"  And  a  blanked  soight  better  than  all  the  lords  in  Ould  England,  or  any- 
other  country,  except  Oireland,  do  yer  moind.  Of  course  I  must  except  Oire- 
land,  and  yer  don't  moind  if  I  do  ?  " 

"  No,  Mike,  I  do  not  care  what  you  do,  as  long  as  you  do  not  betray  me, 
or  turn  back." 

"  Betray  yer  ?  Bedad,  if  a  man  should  offer  to  do  that  I  'd  brake  his 
skull  wid  my  shillalah,  or  shoot  his  blessed  head  off  wid  me  musket.  But 
I  'd  loike  to  turn  back.  Think  of  yer  wife,  and  her  love  for  yer/' 

"  No,  Mike,  a  thousand  'times  no.  When  she  found  that  I  was  not  a 
lord  she  would  not  even  give  me  her  hand  to  say  a  long  farewell.1' 

"  The  divil  she  would  n't.  Will,  now,  it  runs  that  way  wid  some  woomen. 
Only  to  think  of  that  now.  Will,  will,  who  would  have  thought  it  ?  Did 
yer  squaze  her  a  little,  yer  honor?  " 

I  disdained  to  notice  this  remark. 

"  Squazin'  does  wonders  wid  some  of  'em.  They  goes  all  to  pieces  under 
a  nice,  hearty  squaze,  if  yer  helps  it  along  wid  a  few  kisses,  providin'  yer 
has  not  bin  atin'  onjuns.  Love  and  sintiment  and  kisses  don't  go  hand  in 
hand  when  a  man  has  been  scoffin'  onjuns.  The  woomen  thinks  there  5s 
no  true  love  about  a  man  what  wants  to  kiss  her  after  atin"  a  peck  of  'em. 
Will  yer  honor  let  me  smell  yer  breath  ?  It  's  not  jokin'  I  am,  for  sure  I 
know  every  turn  of  a  wooman's  heart,  as  well  as  I  know  the  faces  of  me 
shape,  and,  do  yer  moind,  every  one  in  twenty  thousand  has  a  different 
look,  jist  ioike  humans.  Ye  '11  see  for  yerself,  if  yer  come  to  me  run,  and 
stop  for  a  few  days." 

Mike  did  not  insist  upon  testing  if  I  had  partaken  of  the  savory  and  high- 
smelling  vegetable,  but  turned  his  active  mind  to  other  matters,  of  more 
importance. 

"Now  yer  sa,  sur,"  he  went  on,  "if  yer  won't  go  back  till  the  proper 
time,  we  must  do  all  we  can  to  kape  it  sacret  loike.  so  the  traps  won't  foind 
yer.  When  yer  gits  to  Ballarat  yer  will  be  swallowed  up  wid  the  rist  of  the 
miners,  and  no  one  will  ax  who  yer  is,  or  what  yer  is  about,  or  care  a  blank 
about  yer,  at  all,  at  all,  unless  yer  makes  a  stroik,  and  thin  they  '11  flock 
around,  and  ax  yer  to  put  up  the  beer.  But  I  '11  be  there,  and  look  arter 


138  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

yer,  so  have  no  fear.  But  what  is  yer  front  name,  so  that  I  shall  know  what 
to  call  yer  ?  " 

"Angus." 

"  Hangus  ?    The  divil !  what  a  name.    It  would  answer  for  Ould  Oireland." 

"Why,  Mike?" 

"  Because  they  hang  us  in  that  country  even  for  lookin'  a  landlord  in  the 
face,  and  axin'  for  a  redooksion  of  the  rint.  But  I  '11  be  moighty  careful, 
and  not  make  two  words  of  the  name  while  I  'm  wid  yer  at  the  mines.  The 
buys  would  think  it  was  a  reflection  on  'em,  for  more  than  half  of  'em  should 
be  hanged,  and  the  rist  should  die  natural  deaths,  under  the  hands  of  stu- 
dent doctors." 

And  from  that  time  Mike  always  called  and  spoke  of  me  as  "  Hangus," 
during  the  many  months  we  were  together  at  the  mines,  and  in  Australia. 

"Ah,  how  I  wish  we  were  goin'  to  the  city  instead  of  the  shape  run," 
Mike  said,  after  he  had  remained  silent  for  a  few  minutes.  "  Tut  we  '11  go 
there  sum  day,  and  thin  I  '11  see  yer,  and  the  Belle  of  Australia  on  yer  arm, 
jist  walkin'  around  Victoria  Parade  of  an  arternoon,  as  happy  as  two  kittens, 
and  as  handsome  as  birds  of  paradise,  and  all  the  men  a  takin'  off  of  their 
hats,  and  bowin'  low,  and  all  the  woomen  a  jist  kartesin'  and  smilin'  at  yer, 
and  me  near  yer,  all  ridcly  to  bang  over  the  head  the  fust  pusson  what  did 
n't  pay  yer  proper  respect,  and  say  there  was  none  loike  yer  in  the  whole 
kintry." 

We  rode  along  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  Mike  being  too  much  occupied 
with  the  beautiful  and  enticing  picture  he  had  conjured  up,  to  indulge  in 
conversation,  but  once  in  a  while  I  could  see  his  right  arm  raised  in  the  air, 
and  tremble,  as  though  he  was  mentally  whacking  some  unfortunate  person 
over  the  head  who  had  refused  to  pay  court  to  my  beautiful  wife,  and  proper 
respect  to  myself. 

We  were  now  in  a  wild  and  unproductive  part  of  the  country,  with  some 
dense  woods  on  either  hand,  and  high,  rocky  hills  in  the  distance.  Occa- 
sionally we  would  pass  an  open  space,  where  the  trees  had  been  burned 
down  by  the  careless  use  of  fire  by  the  native  black  fellows,  and  then  again 
we  rode  through  scrub  and  swamp,  where  the  road  was  soft  and  muddy,  and 
badly  cut  up. 

"  In  a  few  minutes  we  '11  foind  a  noice  clarin',.  where  there  's  runnin'  wa- 
ter, and  a  place  to  bile  the  kittle,  and  we  '11  have  a  pot  of  tay,  and  a  bit  to 
skoff,  for  I  'm  that  hungry  that  I  could  even  ate  mutton  and  clamper.  I 
must  water  the  bastes,  and  give  'em  a  little  rest,  for  we  can't  rache  Web- 
ber's afore^  eight  o'clock,  and  we  '11  have  to  stop  there  till  the  hate  of  the 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  139 

sun  is  over,  for  it  's  that  powerful  that  it  would  melt  the  heart  of  even  old 
Kebble white,  and  that  's  putty  tough,  now  I  tell  yer.'' 

As  Mike  ceased  speaking,  I  heard,  far  off  in  the  hills,  the  loud  wailing 
and  sobbing  of  some  person  or  animal,  and  then,  in  the  woods  on  our  left, 
a  confused  yelping  and  barking,  like  the  howling  of  a  pack  of  dogs  that 
were  afraid  of  some  formidable  foe. 

"  For  Heaven's  sake,  what  noises  are  those,  Mike  ?  I  never  heard  any- 
thing like  them  in  California  or  South  America." 

"  No,  I  should  think  not,"  with  a  tone  that  was  almost  boastful,  to  think 
that  Australia  could  produce  something  entirely  different  from  any  other 
part  of  the  world.  "  They  is  funny  noises,  a'n't  they?  Well,  I  'se  heard 
'em  enough  to  tell  yer  all  about  'em,  and  it  's  little  I  mind  'em  now.  though 
the  time  has  been  I  'd  think  the  inhabitants  of  a  village  churchyard  had 
broke  loose,  and  was  trying  to  spake  to  each  other  on  the  coldness  of  the 
weather,  and  the  backwardness  of  thesason.  Do  yer  moind  that  cuss  what 
is  hickcuppin'  like  a  drunken  man  ?  Will,  that  is  a  burd,  and  it  's  called 
the  laugh  in*  jackass,  jist  because  jackasses  don't  laugh,  but  brays.  He 
sints  the  mornin'  air,  and,  as  he  can't  slape,  is  tryin'  to  wake  ivery  livin' 
thing  that  will  listen  to  him.  He  's  a  bad  lot,  he  is,  and  no  man  or  baste 
respects  him." 

"  And  the  howls  on  our  left,  Mike,  what  are  they?"  I  inquired. 

"  Sure,  them  's  dingos,  or  wild  dogs,  and  divilish  bastes  they  is  whin  they 
gets  near  a  shape  run.  They  '11  kill  a  whole  flock  of  a  night,  and  sit  thou- 
sands of  'em  to  runnin'  that  wild  that  there  's  no  gittin'  control  of  'em  agin. 
Eh,  they  is  a  bad  lot,  too,  and  wusser  than  the  burd.  Sure,  I  doses  'em 
with  pisen  ivery  month,  and  so  kapes  'em  down.  They  is  loike  the  wolf 
and  the  dog,  and  not  the  good  qualities  of  aither.  Hear  'em  now.  Yer  'd 
think  they  wus  comin'  for  us,  but  divil  a  bit  of  it.  They  knows  bitter.  I  'd 
loike  a  shot  at  'em  wid  me  old  musket,  but  there  's  no  chance  of  that,  wid 
the  scrub  so  thick  yer  can't  sa  a  hand  afore  yer.  But  here  we  is,  Mr.  Han- 
gus,  and  if  ye  '11  set  still  I  '11  have  the  ladin'  horses  off,  and  tied  up,  in  no 
time,  and  then  build  a  fire.  Here  's  a  putty  spot,  and  there  's  water  there 
jist  at  the  foot  of  the  rock.  It 's  a  spring,  and  all  the  stockmen  in  this  part 
of  the  kintry  knows  it.  Kapc  still,  yer  bastes.  Do  yer  smill  the  water, 
and  want  some  ?  Will,  all  in  good  toime.  ' 

Instead  of  sitting  still  I  got  out.  and  collected  some  dried. branches  of  the 
gum-tree,  and  started  a  fire,  and  soon  had  a  good  one,  the  wood  burning  like 
hemp,  so  full  was  it  of  resinous  matter.  In  the  mean  time  Mike  had  water- 
ed the  horses,  by  the  aid  of  buckets,  and  filled  a  tin  teakettle,  and  put  it  on 


140  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

the  flames,  and  sat  down  with  his  back  to  a  bit  of  scrub,  and  his  face  to  the 
fire,  while  I  sat  opposite  to  him.  The  bright  light  awakened  a  flock  of  parro- 
quets  on  a  gum-tree,  and  they  chattered  and  shrieked  in  a  discordant  man- 
ner at  being  disturbed  of  their  slumbers,  while  a  fat  opossum  came  out  of 
his  place  of  concealment,  in  the  topmost  portion  of  the  tree,  and  looked 
down  at  us  with  his  sharp  little  twinkling  eyes,  and  wondered  what  we  were 
up  to,  and  if  we  had  any  business  relations  with  him  that  were  of  impor- 
tance, and  worth  his  remaining  at  home.  The  dingos  drew  nearer  and  near- 
er, but  did  not  show  themselves,  although  it  was  evident  from  their  barks 
and  growls  that  they  knew  of  our  presence,  and  wanted  to  take  a  look  at  us, 
and  see  if  we  had  any  spare  provisions.  The  laughing  jackass  continued 
its  discordant  screams,  and  then  had  for  a  companion  in  its  mirth  a  solemn 
owl,  that  tooted  out  grave  remonstrances  every  five  minutes,  at  regular  in- 
tervals, while  old  parrots,  with  immense  beaks  of  iron-like  toughness,  gray 
with  age,  and  red-eyed  like  drunkards,  damned  all  creation  in  their  native 
tongues,  and  the  laughing  jackass  breed  of  birds  in  particular.  The  cold, 
clear  moon  was  at  its  full,  and  looked  down  on  us  with  evident  satisfaction ; 
the  stars  twinkled  with  mirth,  and  the  cool  air  from  the  hills,  sweet  and  la- 
dened  with  balsams,  fanned  the  flames,  and  drove  all  the  smoke  from  our 
faces  and  persons,  so  that  we  could  see  each  other,  and  not  inhale  the 
smoke  at  the  same  time. 

"  Now  this  jist  suits  me,"  said  Mike.  "  Ah,  how  nice  it  is  to  have  a  com- 
panion in  yer  jarneys  through  life,  one  that  yer  can  rely  on  in  ivery  kind  of 
wither,  and  one  that  will  share  the  crust  wid  yer,  if  yer  has  one.  In  a  few 
minutes  the  taykettle  will  sing  like  an  ould  grandmither  cooin'  the  fust  born 
of  her  darter  on  her  brist,  and  imaginin'  all  sorts  of  bright  futures  for  the 
wee  thing,  in  which  poverty  and  unhappiness  will  have  no  lot,  for  we  all 
think  our  own  will  be  under  the  protection  of  the  fairies,  and  that  goold  will 
be  in  their  pockets,  and  lots  of  sinse  in  their  heads.  But  when  the  day  of 
trial  comes,  when  pain  "  — 

He  did  not  finish  the  sentence.  To  my  surprise  and  horror  a  huge,  hairy 
form,  with  sharp,  peaked  head,  large,  fierce  eyes,  stout,  short  arms,  immens-e 
legs,  and  long  tail,  with  one  bound  jumped  from  a  clump  of  scrub  directly 
toward  us,  and,  in  its  flight,  hit  Mike  such  a  clip  over  the  head  with  its  tail, 
that  he  rolled  over  a  log,  and  then  just  touched  me  with  its  hind  legs, 
and  sent  me  sprawling  toward  the  hot  fire  and  ashes. 

"  Had  luck  to  yer,  yer  spalpeen  !  May  the  clivil  fly  away  wid  yer  !  May 
all  yer  relations  be  damned,  and  hung  by  the  neck  at  the  same  toime.  Holy 
Moses,  but  it 's  kilt  I  am,  and  the  vagabond  gone  off  a  laughin',  wid  his  long 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  141 


tail  a  shakin'  loike  a  wither  vane  in  a  norther !  Now,  who  'd  V  thought 
the  old  scamp  was  thar?" 

••What  was  it,  Mike?"  I  asked,  as  soon  as  I  could  gain  rny  feet,  and 
draw  my  revolver,  ready  to  fire  at  the  terrible  monster,  if  I  could  get  sight  of 
him. 

"What  was  it?  The  divil !  I  thought  even  a  child  would  have  knowed 
that  it  was  an  old-man  kangaroo,  a  wild  baste  that  '11  rip  yer  bellie  out  of 
yer  quicker  than  a  butcher  can  open  a  pig.  Eh,  but  what  a  rap  he  fetched 
me  wid  his  tail.  It  felt  like  a  waddy  in  the  hands  of  a  black  fellow.  But, 
God  be  praised,  he  did  n't  but  jist  touch  yer  wid  his  hoind  legs.  They  can 
kick  loike  a  mule,  and  scratch  loike  a  foightin1  wooman.  The  ould  divil, 
he  's  been  here  arter  water,  and  jist  waited  for  a  chance  to  git  away.  If  yer 
iver  mate  one,  and  he  backs  up  agin  a  tra,  and  opens  his  arms,  loike  as 
though  waitin'  for  his  swateheart,  jist  kape  away  from  him,  unless  yer  has  a 
gun,  and  knows  how  to  shoot.  He  's  all  ugliness  then,  and  a  match  for  a 
dozen  of  the  best  dogs  that  iver  hunted  for  mate.  Will,  put  yer  pistol  up, 
ye  '11  sa  no  more  of  the  ould  divil  this  noight,  I  'm  thinkin'." 

I  was  about  to  do  so,  when  Mike  suddenly  said,  — 

"  Stay  a  moment,  Mr.  Hangus.  Do  yer  mind  that  opossum  that  is  look- 
in'  down  on  us  from  the  gum-tra?  Will,  let  us  sa  if  yer  can  put  a  shot  in 
him  from  here.  They  is  moighty  good  atin',  and  I  'd  loike  a  taste  of  steak 
broiled  over  this  fire,  and  so  would  yer,  if  yer  only  knowed  how  good  they 
is." 

I  suspected  that  Mike  only  desired  to  see  what  kind  of  a  shot  I  was  with 
a  revolver,  and  made  the  opossum  an  excuse,  but  I  had  no  fear  of  disgracing 
my  early  training,  as  I  had  shot  at  a  mark  day  after  day  in  California,  with 
a  revolver,  the  same  one  which  I  now  carried,  —  a  heavy  Colt,  and  one  that 
had  been  owned  by  my  father. 

I  threw  up  my  arm,  and  did  not  appear  to  take  aim.  The  cap  cracked, 
there  was  a  loud  report,  and  the  opossum  fell  to  the  ground  with  a  bullet 
through  its  head. 

"Will,  holy  Moses!"  was  the  exclamation  of  Mike,  but  his  remarks 
were  suddenly  cut  short  by  the  appearance  on  the  scene  of  a  new  actor,  who 
sprang  into  sight  as  quickly  as  the  old  kangaroo.  Where  he  came  from  I 
did  not  notice  or  know,  but  there,  standing  before  us,  was  a  tall,  thin  black 
fellow,  with  only  a  cloth  around  his  loins,  a  long  spear  in  his  hand,  and  a 
boomerang  tied  to  his  back,  while  his  breast  was  scarred  in  deep  seams, 
rough  and  repulsive  to  view,  and  showing  great  disfiguration  in  his  youth  for 
the  purpose  of  producing  such  beauty  spots,  and  he  was  as  vain  of  them  as 


142  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

a  lady  with  a  little  piece  of  plaster  on  her  fa;e,  to  contrast  with  the  delicate 
whiteness  and  purity  of  her  skin. 

The  black  fellow  picked  up  tha  dead  opossum,  threw  it  over  his  shoulder, 
and  would  have  made  off  if  Mike  had  not  sprung  upon  him,  seized  his  thick 
shaggy  hair,  and  jerked  the  native  first  one  way  and  then  another,  and,  final- 
ly, drew  him  to  the  fire,  tripped  him  up,  and  then  threw  him  down,  and 
banged  him  over  the  head  with  a  club,  or  waddy.  The  black  fellow  did  not 
appear  to  care  any  more  for  the  blows  than  a  prize  fighter  cares  for  the  tap 
of  a  woman's  fan.  He  pointed  to  the  opossum,  and  said,  — 

"  Me." 

"  No,  yer  black  thief,  it  's  not  for  '  me/  "  roared  Mike.  "  If  yer  head  was 
not  so  hard  I  'd  broke  it  for  yer  impudence." 

"  Me,"  was  the  response,  and  the  fellow  looked  with  longing  eyes  at  the 
dead  opossum,  which  the  blacks  of  Australia  love  above  all  earthly  things, 
and  \vl.l  hunt  in  a  very  ingenious  and  patient  manner,  and  can  always  tell 
whether  the  brute  is  at  home,  or  has  wandered  off  for  a  foraging  expedi- 
tion. No  matter  how  high  the  tree  the  black  fellow  can  ascend  its  trunk, 
and  track  his  prey  to  the  very  top. 

Mike  did  not  respond  to  the  last  word  of  the  black,  but  drew  a  knife, 
and  skinned  the  game  in  a  very  expeditious  manner,  the  native  seated  at 
the  fire,  and  watching  every  movement  of  the  progress  with  longing  eyes  and 
hungry  stomach.  He  did  not  seem  to  bear  any  511  will  for  the  cruel  blows 
which  he  had  received,  or  appear  to  notice  them,  although  they  would  have 
crushed  the  skull  of  a  white  man,  of  that  I  am  convinced. 

As  soon  as  the  opossum  was  dressed,  Mike  cut  off  what  he  desired,  and 
threw  the  rest  of  the  carcass,  entrails  and  skin,  to  the  native,  who  gave  a 
grunt  of  satisfaction,  put  the  flesh  and  other  parts  on  the  ashes,  let  them  re- 
main there  fora  few  minutes,  and  then  devoured  the  disgusting  mass  in  a 
revolting  manner,  such  as  would  have  shamed -a  hungry  dog. 

Mike  paid  no  attention  to  the  native.  He  had  seen  hundreds  of  them, 
knew  their  ways,  and  just  how  far  they  were  to  be  trusted  withouf  fear  of 
treachery  and  deceit ;  and,  to  do  tWe  black  fellow  full  justice,  I  should  state 
that  he  paid  no  attention  to  his  entertainers.  He  gorged  himself,  and  did 
not  care  if  we  noticed  his  disgusting  eating.  He  was  not  at  all  modest,  as 
far  as  I  could  judge  by  his  actions. 

In  a  few  minutes  after  the  opposum  -,vas  dead,  Mike  had  roasted  some  of 
the  best  portions  on  a  stick,  salted  them,  made  a  good  pot  of  tea,  put  some 
hard  tack  on  a  paper  (the  native  tried  to  steal  the  bread,  and  got  another 
rap  in  consequence,  which  he  regarded  witli  perfect  indifference,  as  before), 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  143 


and  then  we  fell  to  with  good  appetites,  and  devoured  all  that  was  before 
us.  But  there  was  plenty  of  tea  and  sugar  and  bread  in  the  v/agon,  intend- 
ed for  the  sheep  run,  and  the  men  looking  after  it. 

"  Tell  me,"  said  Mike,  as  we  sat  over  our  pipes,  after  the  feast,  -was  that 
shot  of  yers  a  lucky  one,  or  was  it  premeditated  entirely  ?  " 

"  Oh,  I  can  shoot  very  well,"  I  replied,  "  I  don't  vary  much  when  I 
fire." 

"  Holy  Moses,  if  that  is  what  yer  can  do  nght  along,  yer  can  bang  most 
any  of  'em  round  here,  and  some  day  I  '11  let  yer  have  a  shot  wid  me  ould 
musket,  jist  as  a  reward.  Sure  's  there  's  no  gun  in  the  country  that  can 
stand  afore  her,  when  she  's  well  pinted,  and  held  stidy." 

To  show  that  his  boast  was  not  an  idle  one,  Mike  brought  from  the  wagon 
an  old  rusty  musket,  that  was  wheezy  and  shaky,  with  a  monstrous  lore,  a 
barrel  that  was  near  six  feet  long,  and  spliced  and  plastered  with  tin  and 
iron,  screws  and  nails,  and  a  flint  lock  that  was  as  large  as  an  old-fashion- 
ed door  knocker.  I  shuddered  as  I  thought  of  the  danger  that  would  over- 
take a  person  who  should  dare  to  hold  it,  and  fire  it  with  an  ordinary  load 
of  powder  and  shot. 

But  Mike  was  delighted  with  the  weapon,  and  would  not  have  exchanged 
it  for  the  best  rifle  that  was  ever  made.  Of  course  I  did  not  tell  Mike  that 
I  had  no  desire  to  endanger  my  life  by  firing  the  musket,  for  it  would  have 
hurt  his  feelings,  but  I  handed  it  back  to  the  good  fellow  with  the  remark 
that  it  looked  as  if  it  could  kill  more  ducks  than  any  other  weapon  of  its 
kind  in  Australia. 

"True  for  yer,  sur,"  was  the  satisfactory  exclamation.  "I  "ve  sane  it 
done,  sur,  toime  ancltoime  agin  on  the  Darlin'  and  Murray  Rivers.'' 

We  could  see  traces  of  daylight.  The  moon  began  to  shimmer  like  sil- 
ver, the  stars  appeared  to  be  sorry  for  their  levity  through  the  night,  and  so 
were  going  to  bed,  and  have  a  good  sleep  until  the  next  evening.  More 
birds  joined  in  with  their  discordant  cries,  and  the  dingos  were  seeking  their 
caves  and  holes  to  rest  until  darkness  again  appeared. 

In  the  mean  time  Mike  had  been  at  work  in  the  wagon,  and  when  he 
came  again  to  the  fire,  he  said  that  he  had  made  me  a  nice  bed  out  of  some 
bagging  and  blankets,  and,  as  soon  as  we  were  once  more  under  way,  I  had 
got  to  lie  down,  and  have  a  good  sleep,  for  1  needed  it,  and  would  feel  like 
a  new  man  when  we  reached  Webber's. 

We  hitched  up  the  horses,  and  started,  leaving  the  black  fellow,  with  his 
r'eet  to  the  fire,  full  to  repletion,  snoring  like  a  New-York  alderman,  at  the 
Union  Square  Hotel,  after  a  city  feast. 


T44  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


"  Now,  sur,  jist  git  on  the  noice  bed  I  Ve  made  yer,  and  may  slape  drive 
away  all  care,  and  may  yer  drames  be  as  pleasant  as  those  of  a  young  gurl 
wid  her  fust  lover,  or  a  wooman  what  is  to  have  a  new  silk  dress,  I  '11  call 
yer  whin  it  's  toime.  I  'm  not  slapy,  and  will  look  arter  the  road,  and  the 
taime,  and  smoke  me  pipe  in  quiet  and  meditation,  and  think  of  the  goold 
we  '11  pick  up  some  toime  or  other,  plase  God,  when  no  shape  tindin'  and 
tamin'  will  be  naded  on  me  part,  or  worry  on  that  of  yer  own.  Lay  down, 
sur,  and  slape,  before  the  hot  sun  comes  out,  and  burns  up  the  air,  and 
makes  it  harder  to  draw  yer  breath  than  the  cork  of  a  beer  bottle  what  old 
Webber  has  had  on  hand  for  a  twelve-month." 

I  was  too  tired  to  remonstrate,  and  so  lay  down,  and  shut  my  eyes,  and 
tried  to  see  the  face  of  Florence  in  the  darkness,  and  to  imagine  what  she 
was  doing  just  at  that  particular  hour.  Dreaming,  I  supposed,  of  the  sad 
mistake  that  she  had  made  in  giving  her  hand  to  a  man  whom  she  did  not 
love,  or  even  esteem,  and  thus  thinking,  I  fell  into  a  sound  sleep,  in  spite 
of  the  rough  road,  and  jolting  of  the  team,  and  the  last  thing  I  recollect 
was  whispering  a  prayer  for  the  welfare  of  my  little  wife,  and  her  future 
happiness. 

When  I  awoke  the  sun  was  shining,  and  the  heat  was  something  to  be 
remembered,  as  we  were  passing  through  thick  woods,  where  not  a  breath 
of  air  penetrated.  For  a  moment  I  could  not  realize  where  I  was,  but,  as  I 
raised  myself  up,  and  looked  around,  I  heard  the  hum  of  voices,  and  saw 
that  Mike  had  a  companion  on  his  seat,  and  that  he  was  the  most  singular- 
looking  man  I  had  seen  while  in  Australia.  He  was  dressed  in  the  habili- 
ments of  a  Quaker,  broad-brimmed  gray  hat,  low  crown,  a  gray  coat,  button- 
ed to  his  chin,  gray  trousers,  and  a  shirt-collar  that  was  once  white,  but 
time,  dust,  and  perspiration,  had  changed  its  color  to  one  that  was  unknown 
to  chemists  or  to  painters.  Fora  while  I  remained  quiet,  and  listened  to  a 
conversation  which  was  not  very  instructive,  except  as  far  as  the  answers 
of  Mike  were  concerned,  and  those  were  original,  and,  at  times,  very  evasive 
and  peculiar. 

"  Is  the  young  man  that  thou  hast  for  a  mate  a  godly  person  ?"  asked 
the  Quaker. 

"  Faith,  sur,  I  think  he  is,  for  he  can  sware  loike  a  bushranger,"  which 
was  a  little  imaginative  on  the  part  of  Mike,  as  I  had  not  used  profanity 
but  in  a  very  mild  form,  and  offensive  to  no  one. 

"  It  is  a  pity  that  one  so. young  should  not  fear  the  Lord.  Verily  it  is 
saddening  to  my  soul,"  groaned  the  Quaker. 

"  Don't  let  it  wurrow  you,  sur,  for  I  don't  think  that  me  mate  fears  the 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  145 


divil  himself.     He  's  bound  to  the  mines,  and  he  '11  nade  jsomethin'  beside 
goodness  to  take  him  through,"  Mike  answered. 

"  Has  he  much  worldly  goods  dost  thou  know  ? "  asked  the  Quaker,  as 
he  turned,  and  glanced  at  me,  and  I  saw  through  my  half-closed  eyes  that 
he  had  a  thin  face,  shaped  like  a  hatchet,  the  lankest  form  outside  of  a  liv- 
ing skeleton,  and  the  longest  arms  and  legs  that  were  ever  put  on  such  a 
grotesque  body. 

"  I  don't  know  what  yer  mane  by  goods,"  Mike  answered.  "  I  s'pose  he 
is  as  good  as  most  min." 

"  Thou  misunderstands  me,  friend.  I  mean  has  he  much  wealth,  — that 
is  to  say,  riches  ?  " 

"  Divil  a  hapenny  to  his  back,  or  in  his  pocket.  Sure,  what  would  a  man 
go  to  the  mines  for,  if  he  was  rollin'  in  wealth  ?  Ah,  it 's  jokin'  me  yer 
are." 

"  No,  friend,  I  never  joke.  I  'm  traveling  around  the  country  collecting 
money  for  a  meeting-house  for  the  friends,  and  I  thought  he  might  contrib- 
ute, verily  I  did." 

As  the  Quaker  spoke,  he  turned  his  head  so  that  Mike  could  not  see  his 
face,  and  1  never  saw  such  a  devilish  leer  on  a  person's  countenance  as  that 
same  Quaker  had  on  his.  A  grin  so  repulsive  and  sickening,  that  I  wanted 
to  get  up  and  kick  him  into  the  road,  and  leave  him  there  to  plod  to  his 
destination  on  foot. 

"  It 's  no  use  axin'  me  mate  for  a  penny.  He  's  dead  broke,  and  shut  up 
shop  for  a  moonth,  and  won't  rasame  cash  payments  till  his  ship  comes  in, 
and  she  has  a  head  wind  and  sa  to  contind  wid.  Let  the  lad  alone,  and 
don't  bother  him  in  his  poverty." 

"  Has  thy  young  friend  lived  a  moral  life  ?  "  asked  the  Quaker.  "  Is  he 
to  be  trusted  with  large  sums  of  gold  and  of  silver  ?  Has  he  ever  commit- 
ted crime  thinkest  thou  ?  " 

"  To  the  divil  wid  yer  and  yer  questions  !  "  roared  Mike.  "  What  is  yer 
givin'  me  on  such  a  run  ?  Is  it  sour  beer  yer  is  puttin'  afore  me  ?  What  is 
yer  drivin'  at?  " 

"  Be  not  riled,  my  dear  friend,"  said  the  Quaker.  "  I  asked  out  of  sym- 
pathy, for,  perhaps,  I  could  help  thy  mate.  He  has  a  nice  face,  and  a 
frank  one,  and  he  should  have  noble  sentiments,  and  a  bold  heart ;  a  man 
that  would  make  a  good  policeman,  or  a  terrible  bushranger." 

"He  's   not  that  koind  of  mate,  I  tell  yer!"  roared  the  indignant  Mike. 
"  He  'd  not  take  a  penny  what  did  n't  belong  to  him.     A  perloceman,  indade. 
To  the  divil  wid  yer  perlocemen  ! " 
io 


146  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


"  With  all  my  heart,"  responded  the  Quaker,  with  a  second  grin,  that  was 
as  slimy  as  the  first  I  had  noticed.  "  I  do  not  think  that  all  policemen  are 
good.  I  don't  believe  that  Mr.  Murden,  the  Chief  of  Police  of  Melbourne, 
is  honest  as  the  day  is  long.  Dost  thou  ? " 

"  I  don't  know.  1  've  heard  him  spoken  of  as  bein'  a  smart  officer,  and 
that  he  's  tracked  many  a  bushranger  to  a  stout  prison,  and  kept  them 
in  it  as  long  as  he  plased.  I  Ve  mit  him  once,  but  I  'm  not  on  callin'  terms 
wid  him,"  and  Mike  grinned. 

" him !  "  ejaculated  the  Quaker,  in  a  sudden  burst  of  passion,  and, 

as  Mike  turned  in  astonishment  to  look  at  the  "  friend  "  who  had  uttered 
such  a  worldly  sentiment,  the  Quaker's  face  changed  as  if  by  magic,  and  the 
cold,  calm  smile  passed  over  it.  "  Such  is  the  violent  language  that  I  have 
heard  uttered  by  the  worldly  people,  when  speaking  of  Mr.  Murden,"  the 
Quaker  said,  in  an  apologetic  tone.  "  I  know  him  not,  and  do  not  wish  to. 
He  is  a  man  of  war  and  blood,  and  we  deal  not  with  such.  But  dost  thou 
know  where  he  is,  friend  ?  " 

"  In  Melbourne,  I  s'pose.  How  should  I  know  ?  I  don't  kape  track  of 
the  traps  unless  they  comes  to  me  run  for  a  bit  of  mutton,  and  sup  of  tay." 

"  Then  he  is  not  on  the  road,  thou  thinkest  ?  " 

"  He  may  be  for  all  I  care." 

"And  hast  thou  met  many  mounted  policemen  on  the  trail  the  past 
night?  "  the  Quaker  urged.  "  The  roads  are  not  too  safe,  and  I  have  heard 
that  Black  Dick  and  Slipper  Sam  are  once  more  on  their  old  beats,  and  tak- 
ing many  a  pound  of  gold  from  the  honest  miners,  and  the  industrious  mer- 
chants. The  police  should  look  after  them  as  soon  as  possible,  and  stop 
their  depredations." 

"  Faith,  I  've  met  but  one  mounted  trap  all  the  night,  and  he  went  on  to 
Webber's  to  stop  over  on  some  business  that  was  argent,  I  think.  If  Dick 
and  Sam  are  round  it  's  many  a  fat  shape  I  '11  lose  durin'  the  summer,  but  if 
they  '11  let  me  alone  they  're  wilcome,  and  I  '11  not  open  me  eyes  very  wide 
whin  I  foind  the  skins  hangin'  on  a  tra.  Will,  praise  God,  there  's  Web- 
ber's, and  we  '11  be  there  in  no  time,  and  I  hope  ye  '11  stand  the  beer  for  the 
ride." 

"  Excuse  me,  friend,  but  I  do  not  drink  aught  but  water,  and,  as  I  see 
some  flowers  that  I  wish  to  gather,  I  'd  even  alight  here,  and  thank  thee  for 
thy  kindness  and  information,"  and,  without  waiting  for  the  horses  to  be 
checked,  the  Quaker  jumped  over  a  wheel,  and  landed  in  the  road,  and, 
with  a  wave  of  his  long,  skinny  arm,  plunged  into  the  scrub,  and  disappeared. 

"Mike,"  I  asked,  "did  you  ever  meet  with  thai  fellow  before?  " 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  147 

"  Ho,  yer  is  awake,  Mr.  Hangus,  is  yer  ?  1  'm  plased  yer  has  had  a  noice 
slape,  and  feels  better.  We  is  near  Webber's,  and  there  's  the  fat  Dutch- 
man in  front  of  his  house.  No,  Mr.  Hangus,  I  niver  mit  the  Quaker  spal- 
peen afore,  and  I  niver  want  to  agin.  He  's  not  a  clane  man,  or  I  'm  a  sin- 
ner. He  pumped  hard,  but  the  water  did  n't  come  to  the  spout  worth  a  pen- 
ny. Whoop,  yer  fat  Dutchman,  alive  yer  is,  wid  yer  big  moouth,  and  bald 
head.  Faith,  yer  grows  younger  wid  years,  and  richer  wid  the  days  passin' 
over  that  head  what  looks  loike  a  pumpkin  gone  to  sade." 

The  Dutchman  withdrew  his  pipe  from  his  mouth,  waved  it  in  token  of 
recognition,  put  it  back  between  his  lips,  and  did  not  respond  by  word  to 
our  arrival.  He  simply  glared  at  us  with  his  little  gray,  pig-looking  eyes, 
and  puffed  on  serenely. 

But  as  soon  as  I  jumped  from  the  wagon,  and  went  to  Mike's  assistance  in 
unharnessing  the  horses,  the  whole  demeanor  of  the  man  changed,  and 
from  a  placid  Dutchman  he  become  a  raging  mountain  of  quivering  flesh. 
He  dashed  down  his  pipe,  glared  at  me  in  speechless  horror,  until  at  last 
his  pent-up  feelings  found  vent  in  three  short  words,  but  they  came  from  the 
deepest  of  chests  :  — 

-  Vel,  I  'm  —  !  " 

As  I  had  never  before  seen  the  man,  I  paid  no  attention  to  him,  suppos- 
ing that  he  was  angry  at  Mike  for  his  somewhat  familiar  remarks  when  we 
drove  up,  but,  as  the  Dutchman  continued  to  breathe  hard,  and  to  inform  us 

that  he  was  " "  we  gave  him  some  of  our  attention  as  soon  as  we  had 

removed  the  harnesses,  and  turned  the  animals  into  a  corral,  where  they 
could  get  water  and  barley,  with  a  handful  of  hay.  We  walked  toward  the 
house,  but  Webber,  the  landlord  and  owner  of  the  premises,  obstructed  our 
path,  and,  pointing  to  me,  said,  — 

"  Vel,  I  'm ,  but  he  's  comes  here  back,  in  spite  of  I  tell  him  not  for 

to." 

"  What  is  the  matter  wid  the  old  porpuses?"  demanded  Mike,  surprised 
at  our  reception. 

"  He  comes  here  last  night  that  ever  vos,v  the  Dutchman  cried,  still  point- 
ing to  me.  "  He  me  slaps  on  der  back,  on  der  head,  on  der  arm.  all  over 
me,  and  he  says  in  a  tone  all  loud  and  all  laugh.  '  Vel,  Dutchy,  gibs  us 
some  beer  and  some  coffee,  and  let  's  see  that  putty  darter  vot  yer  has  here 

all  by  yerseliY  and  he  say,  '  Be quick  as  ever  yer  vos  about  it,  'cos  I 

is  in  a  hurry.'  And  I  says,  '  I  gib  yer  de  beer,  and  de  coffee,  and  de  bread, 
and  I  my  frcu  sends  to  vait  on  yer.'  and  den  dat  same  bad  young  feller,  dat 
is  standin'  dar  right  afore  me,  says,  '  Yer  frou  may  go  to and  yer,  too, 


148  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

for  all  I  cares  one  d —  bit,  it  's  de  darter  vot  I  vants  to  see,  the  pride  of 
old  Webber's  heart.'  Does  ding  it  I  stands,  —  —  ?  " 

He  shook  his  fist  at  me,  and  turned  so  red  in  the  face,  that  I  thought  he 
would  fall  to  the  ground  in  a  fit  of  apoplexy. 

"  Don't  be  a  fool,  yer  old  blubberer,"  Mike  said.  "  Sure,  the  gintleman 
has  been  wid  me,  on  the  road,  all  night,  and  how  could  he  be  here  ?  An- 
swer me  that  now  ?  " 

"  He  calls  for  mine  Katrine,"  the  Dutchman  cried,  "  and  she,  like  de 
fool  big  dat  she  is,  comes,  and  den  afore  mine  eyes,  by  damn,  dat  young  fel- 
ler puts  his  arm  her  waist  around,  and  kisses  her  on  de  mouth  more  den  ten 
times  afore  I  could  open  my  lips,  and  tell  him  to  stop  dat.  It  vant  right  to 
do  such  dings,  and  de  peoples  lookin'  on.  He  do  dat,  and  he  is  not 
ashamed,  much." 

"  Sure,  Hangus,  what  does  the  old  fool  mane  ?  "  demanded  Mike,  a  little 
puzzled. 

I  knew  what  it  meant  quite  well.  My  shadow  had  been  here  before  me, 
and,  true  to  his  noble  instinct,  had  been  making  love  to  the  Dutchman's 
daughter,  and  quite  successfully,  it  seemed. 

"  Katrine,"  screamed  the  enraged  father,  "  go  and  lock  in  a  room  mid 
yerself,  as  fast  as  ebber  you  can,  for  de  bad  young  feller  is  here,  and  he  is 

wuss  den  ebber  he  wus, him ;  and  tell  yer  mudder  to  bring  de  long 

gun  vot  I  shoots  de  kangaroos  wid.  I  fixes  him  if  he  any  more  of  his  little 
games  comes  on  vid  me." 

"  Vy,  fadder,  vot  is  the  matter  vid  yer  now  ?  "  asked  a  rather  sweet  voice, 
and  a  flaxen-haired  girl,  with  deep-blue  eyes,  a  form  that  was  rather  stout, 
and  far  from  sylph-like,  came  from  the  house,  attracted  by  the  row.  "  Yer 
makes  more  noise  enough  to  vake  de  dead  right  up,"  the  young  girl  said, 
and  then,  as  she  caught  sight  of  me,  she  blushed  a  rosy  welcome,  and  very 
deliberately  walked  up  to  me,  put  her  arms  around  my  neck,  and  kissed  me 
three  times  right  on  my  lips,  before  I  could  recover  from  my  astonishment 
and  surprise  at  her  rude  proceeding. 

"  Gott  in  hebin,"  groaned  the  Dutchman,  "  did  I  ebber  see  any  ding  like 

dat  afore  in  mine  life,  all  de  time?  Oh,  by ,  var  is  mine  gun  vot 

shoots  off  ?  " 

"  Yer  goes  in  de  house,  and  draws  de  beer  for  mine  friend,  and  just  mine 
yer  own  business,  yer  old  fool.  Yer  dink  a  young  girl  no  vants  a  lover  all 
de  dime  ?  Bah  !  gets  out  of  dis,  'cos  I  vants  to  kiss  him  some  more,  right 
off." 

"  Gott  in  heben,  does  right  I  hear  ?  "  groaned  the  Dutchman.     "  My  Ka- 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  149 


trine  kisses  a  stranger,  and  tells  her  old  fadder  to  git  out.  Vel,  vel,  and  she 
is  not  to  him  married  a  bit." 

••Vel,  how  can  I,  ven  yer  stands  dar  starin'  at  us?  Ve  vant  to  do  some 
courtin',  and  ve  don't  want  yer  lookinr  at  us.  Get  out,  I  tells  yer.  Go  for 
der  beer.  Come,  mine  friend,  we  has  a  room  all  to  ourself,  de  same  as  last 
night,  and  ve  talks  of  love  all  de  time." 

The  Dutchman  picked  up  his  pipe,  put  it  in  his  mouth,  took  it  out  again, 
and,  in  a  bewildered  sort  of  way,  asked,  — 

"  Vil  yer  marries  her  right  off  now,  and  no  mistake,  and  I  takes  yer  home, 
and  does  vel  by  yer  ?  " 

Katrine  spared  me  the  pain  of  a  refusal,  for  she  motioned  to  her  father  to 
go  in  the  house,  and  put  up  her  hand  before  her  face  to  hide  her  blushes,  as 
she  led  me  into  the  building,  while  Mike  followed  close  at  our  heels,  and 
muttered,  — 

"  By  the  powers,  but  this  bangs  Banagar.  Will,  the  loikes  of  that  I  niver 
saw  afore,  and  niver  shall  agin.  O  Moses,  the  old  roarin'  Dutchman  has 
become  a  lamb,  and  me  mate  gets  more  kisses  than  all  the  buys  that  iver 
crossed  the  threshold  of  the  house.'' 

Thanks  to  the  kindness  of  Katrine,  we  had  a  nice  breakfast,  but  nothing 
could  induce  me  to  partake  of  it  without  the  presence  of  Mike,  for,  al- 
though the  landlord's  daughter  was  rather  pretty,  yet  she  was  also  demon- 
strative, and  I  did  not  care  to  be  a  party  for  breach  of  promise,  or  to  follow 
in  the  footsteps  of  the  noble  lord  who  had  made  love  to  the  girl  just  to  oc- 
cupy a  spare  hour,  and  had  then  left  her,  promising  to  return  as  soon  as  he 
could,  and  kiss  her  some  more,  and  talk  of  their  future  life. 

It  was  useless  to  deny  to  the  girl,  or  to  Webber,  that  I  was  not  the  one 
they  had  entertained  the  night  previous.  I  had  tried  that  argument  in  a 
gentle  way,  but  it  had  been  laughed  at,  and  so  Mike  no  longer  protested 
that  he  had  brought  me  all  the  way  from  Melbourne.  I  learned,  however, 
that  my  shadow  had  met  two  strangers  at  the  house,  and  that,  after  a  con- 
ference with  them,  they  had  all  gone  off  together  on  horseback,  at  about 
three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  that  Lary,  the  mounted  policeman,  had 
stopped  at  the  house  for  a  few  hours,  and  then  turned  in  the  direction  of 
Ballarat.  after  making  some  few  inquiries.  It  seemed  that,  for  reasons  of 
his  own,  Webber  had  not  mentioned  the  arrival  or  departure  of  his  three 
guests  to  the  officer,  which  looked  a  little  mysterious,  until  Mike  hinted  that 
the  old  Dutchman  did  not  tell  the  traps  all  he  knew  unless  his  information 
was  of  no  importance,  and  that  he  had  golden  reasons  for  keeping  silence 
regarding  the  movements  of  people  who  had  no  known  business,  and  went 


The  Belle  of  Atisfralia. 


and  came  at  pleasure,  but  always  sure  of  powder  and  lead  and  provisions, 
when  they  had  the  money  to  pay  for  them;  and  it  was  also  certain  that 
Webber's  sheep  were  never  killed,  his  horses  run  off,  nor  his  cattle  injured  in 
any  way  by  the  black  fellows,  or  the  bushrangers,  who  still  thronged  the 
country,  and  intercepted  miners  on  their  way  to  the  mines,  and  returning 
from  them,  striking  sudden  and  fierce  blows  when  least  expected,  so  that 
the  only  safe  method  of  conveying  gold  or  bills  from  Ballarat  to  Melbourne 
was  by  the  government  escort,  which  went  back  and  forth,  too  strong  to  be 
attacked  by  even  the  bold  ruffians  who  frequented  the  roads,  until  driven 
into  new  quarters  by  the  mounted  police. 

The  hot  day  passed  in  idleness,  if  I  except  the  violent  love  which  Katrine 
would  persist  in  making,  in  spite  of  my  coldness,  and  attempts  to  hold  her 
in  check.  The  noble  lord  who  had  carried  her  heart  by  storm,  had  made 
the  poor  girl  believe  that  he  was  a  victim  of  her  charms,  and  a  more  happy 
girl  than  she  was,  under  the  circumstances,  it  would  have  been  hard  to  find. 
I  pitied  her,  and  would  have  undeceived  her,  but  every  time  I  attempted  to 
do  so,  she  would  smile  at  me,  and  tell  me  to  be  a  good  boy,  and  not  to  talk 
such  foolish  "dings."  Old  Webber  did  not  regard  me  in  a  favorable  light, 
but,  as  I  refrained  from  kissing  his  daughter  more  than  I  could  help,  he  did 
not  talk  of  shooting  me  with  his  kangaroo  gun,  and  even  hinted,  in  a  mo- 
ment of  confidence,  that  if  I  would  marry  Katrine,  I  could  have  a  share  of 
his  run  and  business,  but  I  told  him  that  I  was  too  poor  to  marry,  and  that 
I  would  think  of  it  while  at  the  mines,  and  let  him  know  the  result. 

Toward  sundown,  after  a  good  sleep,  we  hitched  up  the  horses,  and  start- 
ed on  our  journey.  I  saw  tears  in  Katrine's  blue  eyes  as  she  kissed  me,  and 
whispered  that  I  must  come  back  as  quick  as  ever  I  could,  and  that  she 
would  wait  for  me  a  long  time,  and  always  be  true  and  tender,  and  then  she 
put  in  the  wagon  a  box  of  refreshments,  such  as  we  should  want,  and  stood 
by  her  fathers  side,  and  cried  until  we  were  out  of  sight,  and  how  much 
longer  I  never  learned. 

"  A  noice  gurl,"  said  Mike,  as  we  struck  the  rough  road,  and  jolted  on. 
"  Begor,  if  she  had  made  love  to  me  in  that  way,  I  'd  have  yalcled  in  no 
toime.  But  the  female  cratur  is  peculiar,  and  there  's  no  accountin'  for  it. 
But  I  did  envy  yer  the  kisses,  for  it  was  a  waste  of  good  material,  as  yer  did 
not  same  to  care  for  'em.  Whoop  along  wid  yer,  and  don't  go  to  slape." 

We  jogged  along  through  the  night,  sometimes  sleeping  and  dozing,  past 
the  flourishing  village  of  Slabtown,  over  steep  mountains,  and  through  deep 
ravines,  and  shallow  streams,  meeting  black  fellows,  and  a  few  suspicious 
characters,  but  were  not  disturbed  until  the  third  day  out,  when  Mike,  just 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  151 

at  daylight,  stopped  his  horses  at  a  place  where  half  a  dozen  trails  led  in 
various  directions. 

"  Here  we  will  part  for  a  few  days,"  he  said.  "  I  must  go  to  me  run,  and 
look  arter  me  shape,  and  be  riddy  to  lave  the  place  this  wake.  Take  some 
grub  and  a  bottle  of  water,  yer  gun  and  a  blanket,  the  powder  and  lead,  and 
kape  on  this  road  what  yer  sa,  and  ye  '11  git  a  lift  in  the  course  of  an  hour 
to  Ballarat.  I  '11  take  the  rist  of  yer  truck,  and  bring  it  wid  me,  whin  I 
come  over,  and  I  '11  be  all  fra  and  no  longer  a  ticket-of-lave  man,  the  nixt 
toime  we  mate.  It  's  better  yer  should  go  fust,  so  that  yer  can  look  around, 
and  sa  what  is  best  to  be  done.  Lave  word  \vU  the  purlice  station  where 
yer  is,  and  I  '11  foind  yer  sure." 

He  held  out  his  hand,  and  his  eyes  watered,  as  he  continued,  — 

"  The  holy  saints  have  yer  in  their  kapin',  sur,  and  don't  lave  the  baten 
road,  as  yer  vally  yer  life,  don't  yer  do  it.  It  's  death  to  be  lost  in  the  bush, 
and  don't  forget  it  for  a  moment.  Solong,  me  mate,  and  do  take  care  of 
yerself." 

He  waved  his  hand,  and  was  gone,  and  I  turned  and  pursued  my  way  to- 
ward Ballarat,  only  ten  miles  distant,  and  I  should  have  reached  the  town 
in  three  hours'  time  if  I  had  not  left  the  beaten  road,  or  trail,  for  the  bush 
and  scrub,  the  very  thing  Mike  advised  me  not  to  do,  as  I  valued  my  life, 
and  the  very  thing  that  I  should  not  have  done  unless  acquainted  with  Aus- 
tralian life,  and  its  treacherous  woods  and  bush,  and  vast  salt  and  verdant 
plains.  But  I  was  young,  and  thought  that  I  could  pick  my  way  through 
dense  forests,  and  scorned  the  idea  of  being  lost  if  I  did  not  wander  far,  and 
there  is  where  I  made  a  grave  mistake,  and  one  that  I  always  remembered 
while  in  Australia. 


'OH, 


!    MEIE  SCOOTIE!   YOUE  FIGHTIE  !   CHINAMAN  MUSTIE  GOE!" 


PART  VII. 

ON    THE   ROAD    TO    BALLARAT.  —  A    SHORT    NAP,   AND   A   LIVELY   BLACK- 
SNAKE.  —  LOST      IN     THE     BUSH.  —  AN     AUSTRALIAN      CRY     FOR 
HELP.  —  THE   TORTURED   CHINAMAN.  —  A   RESCUE.  —  AN 
ENCAMPMENT  FOR  THE  NIGHT.  —  A  FLYING  CHI- 
NAMAN. —  THE    BLACK    FELLOWS    AND 
THEIR    FEAST.  —  A    TERRIBLE 
VISITOR. —  ON    THE 
TRAMP. 

AS  Mike  and  his  team  of  four  horses  left  me,  standing  in  the  road,  with 
the  thick  forests  and  scrub  on  each  side,  the  dust  of  the  trails  as  fine 
and  light  as  corn-meal,  which  it  resembled  in  color,  with  not  a  soul  in  sight, 
I  felt  more  depressed  and  miserable  than  at  any  time  since  I  left  Melbourne. 
To  be  sure,  the  forests  were  alive  with  the  chattering  of  parrots  and  parro- 
quets,  and  the  discordant  cries  of  the  laughing  jackass,  and  once  in  a  while 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  153 

a  bird  of  paradise,  with  plumage  of  gold  and  silver,  and  tail  like  a  rainbow, 
flew  over  my  head,  and  mocked  me  with  a  shrill  whistle,  or  croak  of  con- 
tempt, and  circling  high  in  the  air  were  vultures  and  carrion  birds,  examin- 
ing each  bush  and  cleared  space  for  a  dead  bullock,  or  the  remains  of  a 
miner,  some  one  who  had  strayed  from  the  trails,  and  become  lost  in  the 
bush,  and  then  yielded  to  despair  and  a  lingering  death.  I  felt  that  in  the 
disappearance  of  Mike  I  had  lost  the  only  real  friend  that  I  had  in  Austra- 
lia, and  very  bitter  were  my  reflections  as  I  strapped  my  blanket  over  my 
shoulder,  slung  my  flask  of  brandy  and  water  bottle  around  my  neck,  took 
my  repeating  rifle  in  my  hand,  saw  that  it  was  all  ready  for  use,  and  then 
plodded  on,  with  the  high  peak  of  Mount  Muninyong  for  a  guide,  and  a  firm 
determination  to  reach  Camp  Reserve,  Ballarat,  before  the  hot  sun  should 
make  traveling  impossible. 

It  was  no  use  to  mourn  over  the  departure  of  Mike.  He  had  promised  to 
join  me  in  the  course  of  three  or  four  days,  or  a  week  at  the  farthest,  and, 
with  a  heart  as  light  as  I  could  command,  I  started  on  my  lonely  route,  and 
thus  hour  after  hour  passed,  and  I  saw  no  sign  of  the  mining  district,  nor 
did  I  meet  with  a  single  person  of  whom  I  could  make  inquiries  as  to  the 
distances  and  location.  By  ten  o'clock  the  heat  was  so  oppressive  that  I 
determined  to  enter  the  woods,  and  seek  rest  under  the  shade  of  the  trees, 
and  remain  there  until  some  team  or  footman  came  along  to  give  me  a  lift. 
I  was  not  in  the  least  alarmed  but  that  I  should  reach  Ballarat  before  night, 
although  I  thought  that  Mike  had  made  a  bad  mistake,  and  that  the  dis- 
tance to  the  cross  trails  was  more  than  twenty  miles,  instead  of  being  only 
between  ten  and  fifteen. 

The  shade  of  the  trees  was  grateful.  There  was  no  dust  there,  and  the 
sun  could  not  penetrate  the  gloom.  I  threw  off  my  load  of  equipments, 
took  a  moderate  pull  at  my  bottle  of  water,  lighted  my  pipe,  had  a  good 
comfortable  smoke,  thought  of  Florence,  and  wondered  if  she  ever  gave  me 
a  single  pitying  consideration,  and  then  went  to  sleep,  as  I  might  have  ex- 
pected, if  I  had  given  the  matter  a  second  thought. 

When  I  awoke  it  was  long  after  two  o'clock,  as  near  as  I  could  judge. 
The  heat  was  still  intense,  and  not  a  breath  of  air  was  stirring.  Even  the 
screaming  parrots  had  retired  to  the  deepest  part  of  the  forest  to  escape  the 
sun  and  glare,  and  not  a  leaf  trembled,  as  I  sat  up,  and  rubbed  my  eyes,  and 
wondered  how  it  happened  that  I  had  fallen  asleep  when  I  intended  to  l.e 
very  wakeful  and  alert,  and  fell  a  little  ashamed  of  my  lack  of  vigilance,  but, 
as  I  turned  my  head  to  see  that  my  rifle  was  where  I  had  left  it,  and  that 
my  revolver  was  in  my  belt,  I  saw  a  strange  movement  in  a  she-oak,  not 


154  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

more  than  ten  feet  from  me,  and  then  from  the  foliage  was  thrust  a  huge, 
black  head,  with  open  mouth,  a  quivering  tongue,  and  fierce,  blazing  eyes, 
that  seemed  to  be  watching  my  awaking,  and  to  be  very  angry  because  1 
had  stirred,  and  was  disposed  to  get  on  my  feet. 

"  That  's  the  devil,  or  a  near  relative,"  I  thought,  as  1  noted  the  mysteri- 
ous head,  and  forked  tongue,  and  then,  as  the  neck  was  thrust  further  and 
further  from  the  foliage,  I  saw  with  intense  disgust,  and  some  uneasiness, 
that  a  monstrous  black-snake  was  coiled  around  the  trunk  of  the  tree,  and 
was  watching  my  movements  with  much  curiosity,  mingled  with  rage,  and 
an  evident  determination  to  make  a  more  minute  inspection  of  my  person, 
and  if  I  had  not  been  awakened  by  some  good  angel,  just  at  the  proper  mo- 
ment, I  should  not  now  be  writing  my  history,  and  thinking  of  the  past  with 
mingled  regret  and  happiness,  for  the  reptile,  although  not  considered  ven- 
omous by  the  people  of  Australia,  is  a  powerful  biter,  has  teeth  like  a  saw, 
and  an  embrace  like  an  anaconda's,  crushing  the  life  out  of  a  sheep,  colt,  or 
calf,  as  easily  as  a  man  can  crush  the  shell  of  a  hen's  egg,  when  in  a  hurry 
to  take  an  early  train,  and  breakfast  at  the  same  time.  The  snake  had  seen 
me  sleeping,  and  glided  up  the  tree  to  take  a  more  accurate  observation 
from  its  elevated  perch,  and  also  for  a  leverage  when  disposed  to  make  a 
sudden  attack,  which  is  a  characteristic  of  the  reptile  when  hungry.  It  had 
determined  to  strike  with  its  powerful  jaws,  sudden  and  sure,  a  blow  that 
could  not  be  resisted  by  man  when  off  his  guard,  seize  me  by  the  arm  or 
head,  and  then  drag  me  to  the  she-oak,  and  crush  my  body  in  its  folds,  un- 
til ribs,  bones,  and  flesh  were  one  mass  of  bruised  and  bloody  jelly,  with  no 
semblance  of  mankind  and  humanity  left,  after  the  powerful  folds  were  re- 
moved, and  the  remains  had  fallen  to  the  ground,  quivering  but  lifeless,  a 
disgusting  sight,  and  one  well-calculated  to  make  even  the  bravest  of  men 
tremble  with  fear  and  horror.  This  was  the  first  large  black-snake  I  had 
ever  seen,  and  I  must  confess  that  I  derived  some  little  pleasure,  now  that 
I  was  awake  and  alert,  in  watching  its  movements,  and  the  rapid  play  of  its 
head  and  shining  neck,  the  swelling  of  its  muscles,  and  the  fiery  eyes,  and 
white  teeth.  As  I  remained  quite  still,  the  snake  became  more  and  more 
emboldened,  and  at  last  darted  its  head  toward  me,  thus  exposing  more  than 
half  of  its  body,  which  was  as  large  in  circumference  as  a  stout  man's  thigh, 
and  about  fifteen  feet  long,  as  near  as  I  could  judge  from  where  I  sat. 

Apparently  disappointed  that  it  had  fallen  short  in  its  deliberate  attack, 
it  hissed  at  me  like  an  enraged  gander,  and  then  drew  its  body  back  to  the 
tree,  and  once  more  swayed  back  and  forth,  and  snapped  its  jaws  together 
like  those  of  an  enraged  bull-dog,  while  its  breath,  as  it  hissed,  was  like  the 


The  Belle  of  Atistralia.  155 


foul  odors  from  an  abattoir  that  had  not  been  thoroughly  cleaned  through 
the  hot  summer  months.  Every  movement  that  I  made  was  looked  upon 
as  a  defiance,  and  a  corresponding  threat  on  the  part  of  the  reptile,  and 
while  it  watched  me  so  fixedly  I  think  that  I  felt  a  little  of  its  terrible  fasci- 
nating power,  and  even  began  to  regard  its  threats  as  quite  harmless  and 
playful,  and  not  disposed  to  injure  me,  even  if  it  approached  within  striking 
distance. 

But  all  at  once  I  realized  that  I  was  in  danger.  It  seemed  as  though 
some  good  angel  had  prayed  for  me,  and  that  her  prayers  had  been  answer- 
ed, for  I  shook  off  the  weakness  that  was  overpowering  me,  and  turned  my 
head  to  look  for  my  rifle,  although  I  held  it  in  my  hand,  and  knew  that-  it 
was  there,  yet  did  not  feel  quite  certain  of  the  fact.  A  terrible  hiss  escaped 
the  snake  when  it  saw  that  its  spell  was  broken.  It  shook  the  foliage  of 
the  tree  as  though  a  whirlwind  was  passing  over  the  forest,  and  even  the 
stout  trunk  of  the  she-oak  bent  while  the  struggle  was  going  on,  a  struggle 
in  which  rage  and  disappointment  were  mingled  and  displayed,  like  the  an- 
tics of  a  wild  beast,  when  deprived  of  its  prey,  or  a  spoiled  child,  when  re- 
fused a  plaything. 

"  We  have  had  enough  of  this,"  I  muttered  half  drowsily.  "  I  think  that 
I  will  give  the  black  devil  something  to  be  angry  at." 

I  raised  my  rifle,  took  a  hasty  aim  at  the  moving  head,  and  fired.  The 
ball  struck  near  its  eye,  and  passed  completely  through  the  skull,  and  in  an 
instant  I  was  nearly  covered  with  falling  leaves,  with  dead  branches,  and 
twigs  torn  from  the  oak,  and  then  the  whole  body  of  the  monster  was  un- 
wound from  the  tree,  and  launched  at  me,  with  open  mouth  and  chattering 
teeth. 

I  had  seen  the  tail  uncoiled,  and  expected  some  such  assault,  but  nothing 
so  powerful,  yet,  as  a  mere  matter  of  precaution,  I  stepped  back,  and 
nearly  behind  the  cedar-tree,  at  the  foot  of  which  I  had  been  sleeping.  The 
head  of  the  reptile  struck  the  trunk,  and  then,  before  it  could  regain  its  for- 
mer position,  I  sent  a  ball  down  its  capacious  throat,  and  retreated  to  see  it 
die.  The  scene  was  a  fearful  one,  and  for  a  rod  in  extent  the  bush  and 
scrub  gave  evidence  of  the  struggle  of  the  terrible  monster.  Whole  branch- 
es were  mowed  from  the  trees  by  the  snake's  tail,  and  one  would  not  have 
believed  that  so  much  strength  could  have  been  excited  by  so  small  a 
body. 

But  at  length  the  contortions  ceased,  the  eyes  lost  their  fierceness,  the 
jaws  no  longer  snapped,  the  tail  to  quiver,  and  only  the  muscles  twitched, 
as  if  still  alive  ;  and  hardly  had  I  noticed  all  these  things,  when  there  was  a 


156  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

fierce  cawing  overhead,  and  a  flock  of  vultures  alighted  on  the  trees,  and 
seemed  to  anticipate  a  rich  treat  in  the  disgusting  object  before  them,  and 
several,  more  bold  than  the  rest,  even  alighted  on  the  ground,  and  pick- 
ed at  the  dead  snake's  eyes,  as  though  anxious  to  partake  of  the  real  delica- 
cies, or  the  bonne  bouche  of  a  feast,  before  the  others  had  a  chance  to  dispute 
their  rights. 

I  was  anxious  to  hasten  away  from  such  a  scene,  for  it  was  sickening. 
Once  more  shouldering  my  traps,  and  taking  a  sip  of  brandy  to  remove  the 
taste  of  the  snake's  breath,  I  started  for  the  road,  and  walked  ten  minutes 
before  I  made  the  discovery  that  I  was  not  going  toward  the  trail,  but  in 
some  other  direction,  and  that  I  had  wandered  from  the  path,  and  was  like- 
ly to  be  lost  in  the  bush,  the  very  thing  Mike  had  cautioned  me  against,  and 
which  I  had  determined  to  avoid.  I  stood  still,  and  thought  of  the  matter, 
so  that  I  should  not  be  frightened,  then  started  in  a  direction  that  I  knew 
would  lead  me  all  right ;  but  ten  minutes  brisk  walking,  with  the  perspira- 
tion streaming  down  my  face  and  neck,  under  the  intense  heat,  showed  that 
I  had  not  struck  the  right  trail,  and  that  I  was  nearly  lost,  even  if  I  was  not 
quite,  and  yet  I  could  not  understand  how  such  a  thing  had  happened,  after 
all  of  my  precautions  to  go  straight  back  to  the  road  I  had  left  in  the  morn- 
ing. But  the  encounter  with  the  snake  had  so  flurried  me  that  I  had  not 
noticed  the  land  marks,  and  I  was  likely  to  pay  for  my  folly,  unless  I  was 
remarkably  lucky,  before  sunset. 

Still  I  was  not  frightened  or  nervous.  I  determined  to  keep  cool,  to 
think  of  some  pleasant  subject,  instead  of  the  dense  bush  and  forest,  and 
straightway  my  thoughts  went  to  Florence,  and  I  wished  that  she  was  hap- 
py, and  would  pray  that  her  young  husband  might  be  extricated  from  his 
dangerous  position,  and  I  laughed  aloud  at  the  absurdity  of  the  thought,  as 
though  Florence  cared  where  I  wandered,  or  what  I  did,  as  long  as  I  held 
aloof  from  her,  and  did  not  claim  her  hand,  and  then  I  whistled,  and  pushed 
my  way  through  the  scrub,  stopped  and  took  a  sip  of  brandy,  and  once  more 
went  onward,  and  looked  up  to  see  if  I  could  get  a  view  of  the  sun,  or  of 
Mount  Muninyong,  so  that  I  could  shape  my  way,  and,  while  I  was  thus  em- 
ployed, I  heard  some  one  give  the  Australian  cry,  a  plain,  full  "co-ey,"  long 
drawn  out  on  the  last  syllable,  so  that  the  sound  floats  in  the  air,  and  trav- 
erses more  space  than  any  other  word  that  the  shepherds  or  stockmen  em- 
ploy. Mike  had  taught  me  its  use  that  very  morning,  and  I  had  practised 
it  until  I  was  perfect  in  sounding  the  call,  and  now  I  used  it  for  the  first 
time  in  all  seriousness,  and  then  waited  for  a  response.  It  came  at  length, 
full  and  hard,  and,  with  a  responsive  cry,  I  dashed  forward  in  the  direction 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  157 

I  supposed  the  sound  had  come  from,  stopping  every  few  minutes  to  get  an 
echo,  and  finding  that  I  was  on  the  right  trail,  and  nearing  the  person  who 
was  in  distress.  Over  fallen  trees  and  rotten  stumps,  through  bushes  and 
scrub,  until  at  last  I  reached  a  clearing,  where  fire  had  at  one  time  done  its 
work,  and  there,  yelling  and  groaning,  swearing  in  pigeon  English,  and  Chi- 
nese characters  as  big  as  tea  chests,  was  a  Chinaman,  fast  bound  to  a  tree, 
with  arms  and  feet  so  firmly  secured  that  to  free  himself  from  the  bands  of 
vines  and  withes,  used  instead  of  ropes,  was  an  impossibility.  But  the 
bonds  were  not  the  only  torture  to  which  the  celestial  was  subjected,  for  in 
the  middle  of  the  clearing  was  a  gigantic  ant's  nest,  more  than  six  feet  high, 
and  at  least  four  feet  in  diameter  at  the  base,  the  home  of  the  ferocious  sol- 
dier, or  bull-dog,  ant,  the  most  rapacious  and  desperate  of  all  the  insect 
tribe,  capable  of  devouring  a  dead  bullock  in  a  few  hours,  and  picking  the 
bones  as  clean  as  the  inmates  of  a  poor-house,  where  short  rations  are  com- 
mon, if  the  commissioners  are  of  a  prudent  nature,  and  care  more  for  the 
money  of  their  constituents  than  the  health  of  those  whom  they  have  in 
charge. 

Already  the  ants  had  scented  blood  and  flesh,  and  I  saw  with  horror,  that 
hundreds  of  them  had  swarmed  over  the  Chinaman,  and  were  feasting  on 
legs  and  arms,  face  and  neck,  and  drawing  blood  at  every  bite,  and,  as  the 
attacks  became  more  and  more  severe,  the  struggles  of  the  poor  wretch 
grew  frantic,  and  his  pigeon  English  of  the  most  mixed  character. 

"  Oh, ! "  he  yelled,  "  bitee  likee  dogie.  Bitee  likee  hotee  fie. 

Takee  offee.  Dammie  alle  busherange  !  Co-ey.  Comee  quickee,  some- 
bodie,  or  Chinaman  muste  goe." 

I  did  not  delay  a  moment  in  rushing  to  the  rescue  of  the  poor  fellow, 
whose  tortures  must  have  been  intense  enough  to  turn  the  brain  of  a  sane 
and  healthy  man  in  a  short  time,  even  if  there  had  been  life  left  at  the  end 
of  an  hour's  duration  of  such  misery.  I  dropped  blanket  and  rifle,  drew  my 
sharp-edged  bowie-knife,  and  with  a  few  strokes  cut  the  withes  that  bound 
the  Chinaman,  seized  him  by  his  long  and  thick  pig-tail,  dragged  him  to  the 
edge  of  the  woods,  out  of  the  course  of  the  ants,  and  then  beat  the  insects 
from  his  flesh  with  blanket  and  bush,  with  hands  and  feet,  sparing  not  even 
the  celestial's  shins,  as  I  kicked  at  the  bull-dogs  that  would  not  let  go  their 
hold,  so  fierce  were  they  after  once  tasting  blood.  All  this  time  the  China- 
man was  aiding  me  with  words,  if  not  with  hands,  for,  as  I  trampled  the 
ants  under  foot,  and  thrashed  them  with  bushes,  like  a  farmer's  boy  in  a 
hay  field,  when  attacked  by  hornets,  he  continued  to  chatter,  and  found  an 
astonished  listener. 


T58  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


"  Ah,  date  bery  goodie.  Noice  Slingisman  ;  note  alle  same  busherange. 
Noe  kickie  shinie  tooe  harde.  Berrie  goodie  youe.  Alle  gonie  nowe. 
Holde  upe,  I  telle." 

Not  until  I  trampled  out  the  life  of  the  last  of  the  ants  that  were  on  the 
person  of  the  Chinaman,  did  I  relax  my  endeavors,  and,  even  after  I  had 
killed  all,  made  the  celestial  remove  his  blue  jumper,  to  be  sure  that  no  ants 
were  between  that  and  his  skin,  and  all  this  while  the  fellow's  almond-shaped 
eyes  were  fastened  on  me  in  a  strange,  stupefied  sort  of  glare,  as  though  he 
had  seen  me  before,  but  could  not  tell  where,  or  just  under  what  circum- 
stances, or  else  was  wondering  what  could  have  induced  a  "  foreign  devil  " 
to  lend  a  helping  hand  to  a  poor  and  despised  Chinaman,  who  receive  as 
many  cuffs  in  Australia  as  they  do  kicks  in  California. 

"  Now,  John,"  I  said,  "  off  with  those  blue  dungeree  trousers.  Be  quick. 
We  must  make  clean  work  of  it,  and  then  get  out  of  this  place  as  soon  as 
possible.  Come,  move,"  seeing  that  the  fellow  was  looking  at  my  face  with 
more  attention  than  his  own  injuries. 

"  Ah,  noie,  can'te  doie  datie.  Meie  modiste  manie,  youe  knowe.  Noie 
takie  offe  trousie  fore  manie.  Allie  rightie  nowie.  busherange." 

Seeing  that  the  fellow  was  not  suffering  any  further  inconvenience,  I  did 
nor  insist  upon  his  removing  the  large  and  flowing  garments  which  he  wore 
to  protect  his  legs,  and  make  him  an  ornament  for  decent  society,  but  gath- 
ered up  my  traps,  and  sought  safety  in  a  hasty  flight  to  a  different  clearing, 
where  there  were  no  ant's  nests.  But  even  as  we  started  to  move  in  anoth- 
er direction,  the  savage  bull-dog  insects  were  getting  ready  to  make  a  fierce 
and  more  concentrated  attack  on  us,  for  they  swarmed  from  their  gigantic 
home  in  thousands,  and  sent  out  scouts  in  all  directions,  to  call  in  the  lag- 
gards and  warriors,  and  to  consult  as  to  the  best  method  of  dealing  with  the 
common  enemy,  and  obtaining  a  good  stock  of  food  for  the  colony.  As  the 
bull-dog  and  soldier  ants  are  about  an  inch  long,  and  as  hard  as  iron,  the 
noise  they  made  in  swarming  was  like  the  flapping  of  pigeon  wings  at  a  noted 
resort  for  the  birds,  or  the  humming  of  a  country  school  in  summer  time. 

I  was  tempted  to  give  them  a  dose  of  fire,  but  feared  to  spare  the  time, 
as  I  hoped  to  get  out  of  the  bush  before  the  sun  set,  and  already  it  gave 
tokens  of  leaving  us  before  many  hours,  and  in  total  darkness  it  would  be 
useless  to  attempt  to  travel  in  the  woods. 

I  soon  found  a  clearing,  and  then  stopped,  unloaded,  and  turned  to  have  a 
good  square  look  at  my  companion.  He  was  like  all  the  rest  of  his  race,  — 
almond-eyed,  smooth-faced,  about  thirty  years  of  age,  stout  built,  very  mus- 
cular for  a  Chinaman,  dressed  as  they  all  dress,  with  blue  blouse  and 


The  Belle  of  Atistralia.  159 


trousers,  celestial  shoes,  and  long  and  very  thick  pig-tail,  the  latter  hanging 
down  his  back,  and  braided,  with  a  blue  ribbon  to  keep  the  ends  from 
working  loose,  and  all  the  rest  of  his  head,  except  the  queue,  shaven  quite 
clean,  as  if  the  operation  had  been  but  recently  performed  by  a  barber.  I 
saw  that  the  man's  face  was  still  blotched  from  the  bites  of  the  ants,  and 
that  there  was  some  blood  on  it,  and  knew  that  he  must  be  suffering,  al- 
though not  a  sign  of  pain  and  uneasiness  did  he  manifest,  except  by  his  con- 
stant watching  of  all  my  motions,  and  a  surprised  look  in  his  dark,  half- 
closed  eyes,  as  if  he  was  a  little  suspicious  of  me,  and  waited  to  see  what 
my  next  move  would  be  on  his  account.  But  I  did  not  pay  much  attention 
to  his  grunts,  and  wandering  glances,  as  all  Chinamen  are  a  little  diffident 
in  the  presence  of  strangers. 

I  gave  him  about  half  a  wine  glass  of  brandy.  He  drank  it  like  a  heath- 
en, with  a  gasp,  a  sob,  and  a  gush,  and  then  rubbed  his  hand  on  his  sto- 
mach, and  said,  — 

"Dat  bellie  goode,"  and  grinned  like  an  idiot,  an  exasperating  grin, 
which  made  you  feel  like  kicking  him. 

I  wet  a  cloth  with  the  brandy,  and  washed  the  bites  and  blood  away  from 
the  fellow's  face  and  neck,  and  that  must  have  relieved  him,  but  still  he 
could  not  keep  his  eyes  from  my  face,  and  once  he  muttered,  —  • 

"  Bellie  strange  dis  manie." 

"  What  is  strange,  John?"  I  asked. 

"  Noie  John.     Meie  Gin  Sling,"  was  the  answer. 

At  least  it  sounded  like  Gin  Sling,  and  I  won't  swear  that  it  was  or  was 
not,  but  as  Gin  Sling  came  as  near  to  what  he  called  himself  as  anything  I 
could  think  of,  he  ever  after  went  by  that  spirited  and  liquid  name,  and,  as 
he  did  not  repudiate  it,  I  am  satisfied  that  he  was  content,  and  thought  that 
a  high  honor  had  been  conferred  on  him  by  his  'Melican  man  associate. 

"  Bellie  strange,"  repeated  Gin  Sling,  still  looking  at  me,  after  he  had 
said  that  he  felt  very  well,  and  that  the  wounds  did  not  smart  as  much  as 
one  would  suppose. 

"  What  is  strange,  Gin  ?     Out  with  it." 

"  Youe." 

"  Me,  Gin  ?  What  is  there  strange  about  me  ?  I  cut  you  loose,  and 
saved  your  life,  for  in  an  hour's  time  the  ants  would  have  picked  your  bones 
quite  dry.  I  would  have  done  the  same  for  any  one,"  I  said. 

"  Ah,  bute  youe  sitie  stille  and  seee  meie  tied  upe.  Youe  once  saye, '  Noie 
kille  John.  Lete  goie,  or  tiee  upe.  Hie  notie  worthie  muche.  Letiegoe." 

"  I  said  all  that,  did  I,  Gin  ?  "  I  asked. 


160  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  Yesie,  bute  de  udder  dammie  busherangie  say,  *  Kille  John  Chinaman. 
Hee  noie  usee  to  onie  bodie.  Heie  ruinie  de  workie  people.' " 

I  wondered  if  my  bete  noir\\z,&  taken  part  in  the  persecution  of  the  Chi- 
naman, and  had  saved  his  life  as  far  as  having  him  tied  up  was  concerned. 

"  Are  you  sure  that  I  am  the  person  who  said,  '  Let  him  go,'  Gin  ? " 

"Yesie,  yesie,"  with  many  nods,  and  a  wise,  half-cunning  look  in  his 
dark  eyes.  "  Meie  sure  allie  timee  youe  de  manie.  Noie  foolie  Gin 
Sling." 

"Well,  Gin,  you  are  mistaken.  I  am  not  the  one.  I  never  saw  you  be- 
fore, and  had  no  part  in  persecuting  you." 

"  Alle  rightie,  sir.  Meie  dinke  alle  sarnie.  Youe  sete  on  tree,  and  seeie 
de  udders  lookie  alle  over  meie  for  goldie  duste." 

"  Did  they  find  any,  Gin  ?  "  I  asked,  with  a  little  more  interest. 

"  Noie,"  with  a  grin,  and  a  cunning  look  in  his  eyes.  "  Meie  goe  from 
Ballarate  for  citie,  and  dis  mornie  dree  menie  sayie,  '  Stoppie,  you  dammie 
Chinaman,  and  gibie  use  allie  youe  golde  dustie,  or  we  puttie  bailie  in  youie 
headie,  youe  coppie-colorede  sonie  gunie  ; '  and  I  saye,  *  Meie  noie  goldie, 
meie  poore  manie,'  and  dey  takee  meie  in  de  woodie,  and  lookie  alle  over 
clothesie,  and  no  finde  duste  or  monie,  and  denie  twoe  bigie  menie  wantie  to 
killie  meie,  bute  youe  saye,  '  Noie,  lete  John  goe,'  and  de  udder  menie  saye, 
'  Dammie,  hee  noie  c;oodi <i  anie  howie.  Noie  one  carie  for  Chinaman.  Tiee 
upe,  and  leavee  heree  for  de  buggies." 

I  could  now  understand  him.  The  Earl  of  Afton,  I  suppose,  or  my 
double,  as  I  have  said,  had  left  Webber's  two  days  before  in  company  with 
some  suspicious  characters.  The  party  had  met  the  Chinaman  on  the 
road,  and  determined  to  rob  him  of  all  his  possessions,  but,  as  they  had 
found  nothing,  the  two  desperadoes  had  taken  him  to  the  bush,  and  tied  him 
up,  about  the  time  that  I  had  laid  down,  and  went  to  sleep.  Had  I  been 
half  an  hour  earlier,  I  should  have  met  the  party  on  the  trail.  They  had 
tied  the  poor  fellow  near  the  ant's  nest  for  the  purpose  of  having  some 
sport,  and  witnessing  the  Chinaman's  contortions,  as  the  ants  bit  him,  but 
the  sound  of  my  rifle,  as  I  fired  at  the  snake,  had  disturbed  the  calculations 
of  the  two  ruffians,  and  they  had  made  off,  under  the  impression  that  a  num- 
ber of  mounted  traps  were  on  the  road,  or  that  some  miners  were  out  from 
camp,  looking  for  stray  cattle. 

"  What  did  the  men  say  when  I  told  them  not  to  hurt  you  ?  "  I  asked,  for 
I  saw  that  the  Chinaman  was  as  big  a  crank  as  to  my  being  some  one  else  as 
the  more  enlightened  people  I  had  met. 

"  Oh,  the  twoe  uglie  menie  saye,  '  Youe  jiste  shute  upe,  or  wee  fixe  youe 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


likie  Chinaman,'  and  youe  laughe,  and  takie  alle  sarnie  onie  jokie,  and  saye, 
4  De  debbie  youe  willie.  Youe  bettie  notie  if  youe  knowie  whate  goodie  for 
youselfe.'  " 

Jt  seemed  that  his  lordship  was  not  in  the  least  afraid  of  the  bushrangers, 
and  I  began  to  respect  him  for  his  courage.  But  what  he  was  doing  with 
them  puzzled  me.  Unless  he  was  very  careful  he  would  find  himself  in  a 
worse  position  than  when  he  left  Melbourne  in  such  haste,  to  avoid  mar- 
riage. If  the  police  once  laid  hands  on  him  in  company  with  noted  bush- 
rangers, it  would  require  some  high  interest  to  get  him  out  of  his  difficul- 
ties. 

"  Gin,"  I  said,  very  slowly  and  distinctly,  "  I  was  not  the  person  who  was 
with  the  bushrangers.  I  would  not  be  with  them.  I  am  a  good  man," 
and  I  hoped  this  would  convince  him,  but  it  did  not. 

"  Yese,  -  goodie  !  Alle  righte  nowe.  Youe  comee  backe,  and 
savie  lifee  Gin  Sling.  Nowe  meie  paye  youe  for  alle.  Youe  takee  in  wel- 
comee.  Meie  goe  and  gete  moree." 

He  gave  his  thick  pig-tail  a  flirt,  unbraided  it  with  a  rapid  motion  of  his 
hands,  and  from  the  mass  of  hair  dropped  a  razor  and  comb,  a  piece  of  cloth, 
a  stick  of  something  like  caustic,  a  bag  containing  ten  sovereigns,  and,  most 
wonderful  of  all,  a  thin  wash-leather  purse,  at  least  ten  inches  in  length,  and 
as  large  round  as  a  stout  man's  thumb,  containing  at  least  three  pounds  of 
gold  dust  and  small  nuggets.  Gin  Sling  had  beaten  the  bushrangers,  for  he 
had  secured  his  treasures  so  carefully  in  his  cherished  pig-tail  that  the  ruf- 
fians had  not  thought  of  searching  it,  and,  rather  than  give  up  his  gold,  he 
had  determined  to  lose  his  life,  or  to  run  his  chances  of  a  rescue. 

"  Youe  takee  alle,"  Gin  Sling  said,  as  he  put  everything  in  my  hands. 
"  Youe  save  meie  lifee.  Nowe  takee,  and  keepe.  Youe  dammie  goodie, 
meie  knowie,  bute  meie  noie  leavie  youe  morie.  Alle  righte.  Chinaman 
havie  heartie  as  big  as  Slingisman  annie  timie  daye." 

"  Gin,"  I  said,  "  I  don't  want  your  property.  Keep  it,  and  when  you  go 
back  to  China  you  will  be  a  mandarin.'" 

"  Noie,  wille  note  takie.     Alle  youe.     'Noughe  said  aboute  it" 

He  looked  so  determined  that  I  had  hard  work  to  make  him  understand 
that  I  would  not  take  his  money  on  any  account.  Then  he  showed  disap- 
pointment and  dejection,  and  seemed  undecided  what  to  do  with  his  treas- 
ures. At  last  his  almond  eyes  brightened.  He  had  hit  upon  an  idea. 

"  Alle  righte.  Meie  keepe  fore  youe  tillie  goe  Ballarate.  Thene  youe 
takie  alle.  Date  farie." 

He  braided  his  hair  once  more  in  so  skillful  a  manner  that  I  could  not 


1 62  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

detect  the  treasures  which  it  contained,  and,  after  he  had  concluded,  I  look- 
ed to  my  revolver  and  rifle,  saw  that  the  charges  were  all  right,  and  that  \v. y 
knife  had  not  lost  its  keen  edge.  By  that  time  it  was  near  four  o'clock,  and 
the  woods  began  to  appear  dark  and  sombre,  and  the  birds  and  animals  to 
show  themselves  in  the  cool  of  the  evening,  after  their  long  siesta  during 
the  hot  hours.  We  should  be  moving,  but  I  did  not  know  in  what  direction 
to  go  to  find  the  trail.  I  had  become  completely  lost  as  to  all  points  of  the 
compass. 

"  Gin  Sling,"  I  asked,  "  do  you  know  where  we  are  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yese,  in  der  bushe." 

"  Do  you  know  in  what  direction  we  should  go  to  strike  the  road  that 
leads  to  Ballarat  ? " 

"  Meie  noie  strikie  nobodie,"  was  the  reply.  "  If  I  doie  badie  Slingisman 

hite  backie,  and  saye,  ' ratie  eatie  Chinaman.'  Noie,  meie  noie 

strikie  folkes  unlese  meie  cane  lickie." 

It  was  useless  to  expect  assistance  from  Gin  Sling.  He  either  did  not 
understand  me,  or  was  cunning  enough  to  pretend  that  he  did  not,  so  that 
he  would  not  be  forced  to  take  any  responsibility  in  the  difficult  task  of  find- 
ing our  way  out  of  the  bush,  and  gaining  the  right  road.  I  knew  that  peo- 
ple had  been  lost  in  the  woods,  and  wandered  around  in  a  circle  for  days, 
and  at  last  had  died,  within  sound  of  their  own  homes,  dazed  and  bewilder- 
ed by  the  fact  that  they  were  lost,  and  did  not  know  which  way  to  turn,  or 
how  to  regain  the  hidden  trails. 

Down  went  the  sun  behind  the  tall  trees,  and  darkness  was  almost  upon 
us.  I  thought  it  useless  to  attempt  to  move  until  daylight,  for  we  could  ac- 
complish nothing,  and  should  get  more  tired  and  bewildered  stumbling  over 
fallen  trees,  and  through  dense  scrub,  beside  running  the  risk  of  being  bit- 
ten by  a  diamond  or  whip  snake,  the  only  two  poisonous  reptiles  in  Austra- 
lia, of  the  crawling  species.  I  determined,  therefore,  to  remain  where  I  was 
until  the  next  day,  and  then  make  a  renewed  attempt  to  escape  from  our 
imprisoHment. 

"Gin  Sling,"  I  asked,  "are  you  hungry?" 

"  Meie  beflie  hungie.  Alle  same  Chinaman  begger.  Eeatie  muchie  nowe, 
if  havie." 

Just  at  this  moment  a  fat  white  rabbit  entered  the  clearing,  and  sat  up, 
and  looked  at  us  with  as  much  astonishment  as  its  little  pink  eyes  could  as- 
sume. I  fired  a  rifle  shot  at  it,  and  the  poor  little  timid  tiling  sprang  into 
the  air,  and  fell  dead. 

"Oh, ,  bute  date  goodie,"  and   like  a  hungry  dog  the   Chinaman 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  163 

fell  upon  the  carcass,  and,  with  the  aid  of  my  knife,  commenced  stripping 
off  the  pelt. 

"  Gin,"  I  said,  "  we  shall  have  to  remain  here  all  night." 

"  Alle  righte.  Where  youe  staye  meie  staye.  Makie  fie,  and  habie 
meatie  for  grubie.  Blerie  goodie  meatie." 

\Ve  gathered  some  dead  branches,  and  made  a  fire,  for  the  Chinaman  had 
a  stock  of  matches  and  a  lot  of  cheap  tobacco  in  some  mysterious  pockets 
of  his  blouse,  and,  by  the  time  the  sun  had  set,  we  were  feasting  on  broiled 
rabbit,  and  making  a  very  fair  supper,  for  I  had  a  few  cakes  of  hard  tack 
and  a  pinch  of  salt,  in  my  packages,  which  Mike  had  insisted  I  should  take 
with  me,  in  case  I  wanted  a  lunch  on  the  way  to  the  mines.  Gin  Sling  ate 
like  a  person  who  had  fasted  for  a  week,  and  when  we  had  concluded  our 
repast  every  vestige  of  the  rabbit  was  consumed.  Then,  with  a  small  al 
lowance  of  brandy  and  water,  very  precious  because  I  did  not  know  when  I 
should  see  any  more,  I  spread  my  blanket  near  the  fire,  and  lighted  my 
pipe,  while  Gin  consoled  himself  with  smoking  some  of  the  vilest  home- 
made cigarettes  that  ever  turned  the  stomach  of  a  well  man,  and  caused  him 
to  yearn  for  fresh  air,  and  a  stringent  death  penalty  on  all  who  indulged  in 
such  profanation  of  the  art  of  smoking.  But  Gin  was  not  educated  up  to 
the  art  of  using  good  tobacco,  and  was  as  happy  in  his  ignorance  as  some 
people  who  claim  to  belong  to  the  land  of  Christians  and  churches. 

The  stars  came  out,  and  twinkled  as  though  rather  glad  that  we  were  in 
such  comfortable  quarters ;  the  moon  shed  a  little  light  in  the  open  space 
where  we  sat  on  opposite  sides  of  the  fire,  a  thick  bit  of  scrub,  and  a  gum- 
tree  just  back  of  Gin  Sling,  and  a  high  bush  of  flowering  acacia  in  my 
rear,  sending  its  fragrance  all  around  us,  and  even  overpowering  the  stench 
of  the  tobacco  which  Gin  was  enjoying  af'er  his  hearty  supper.  In  the 
trees  that  surrounded  us  on  all  sides  the  old  gray-headed  parrots  scolded  at 
each  other,  and  rebuked  the  giddy  and  thoughtless  parroquets,  which  were 
coquetting  a  little  on  some  she-oaks,  and  mocking  their  elders  for 
their  propriety,  acting  very  human  in  this  respect,  while  once  in  a  while  a 
sly.  quiet  opossum  would  slink  down  from  a  gum-tree,  and  glide  off  to  pay 
his  respects  to  a  female  neighbor.  A  stately  white  owl,  on  a  tall  cedar, 
tooted  out  doleful  complaints  because  the  moon  in  its  brilliancy  interfered 
with  its  nocturnal  pursuits,  and  far  off  in  the  distance  the  dingos  were 
howling,  and  calling  to  each  other  for  a  friendly  ramble  in  search  of  sheep 
and  helpless  cattle.  Once  in  a  while  a  snake  would  glide  out  of  the  scrub, 
and,  seeing  the  fire,  would  hiss  its  displeasure,  and  retreat  in  the  thickets, 
with  no  disposition  to  cultivate  our  acquaintance,  when  backed  by  flames 


r 64  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

and  smoke.  The  insects  began  to  hum,  and  sharpened  their  beaks  for  the 
feast  that  they  saw  in  store,  as  soon  as  we  should  sleep,  and  prowling  near 
us,  but  keeping  out  of  sight,  an  animal  called  the  "  hairy  tail,"  a  species  of 
Australian  panther,  small,  but  compact,  and  a  good  fighter,  when  aroused, 
growled  ominously,  as  though  gathering  courage  for  an  attack,  yet  did  not 
like  to  commence  one,  for  fear  the  fire  would  take  a  hand,  and  decide  the 
contest  in  our  favor.  But  I  had  no  fear  of  it,  with  a  huge  revolver  at  hand, 
and  a  repeating  rifle  at  my  side,  and  Gin  Sling  seemed  to  have  no  cares  after 
his  hearty  meal,  except  the  fear  that  his  tobacco  would  give  out,  and  he 
should  not  be  able  to  obtain  another  supply  at  some  convenient  point  in 
the  bush.  His  confidence  in  me  was  so  unbounded  that  he  was  like  a  child 
in  his  careless  simplicity. 

Thus  we  sat  and  smoked  until  near  nine  o'clock,  Gin  Sling  chatting  in 
pigeon  English,  not  forgetting  to  damn  all  bushrangers,  as  he  thought  of 
the  outrage  that  had  been  perpetrated  on  his  celestial  person,  and  I  was 
just  about  to  nod,  and  let  my  head  fall  upon  my  breast,  tired  and  oppressed 
by  the  labors  of  the  day,  when  there  was  a  humming  noise  in  the  air,  like 
the  flapping  of  swan's  wings  when  rising  from  a  sheet  of  water,  and  whiz 
came  a  spear  from  out  of  the  scrub,  passed  over  the  fire,  just  grazing  the  fat, 
black,  plump  pig-tail  of  Gin  Sling,  and  buried  itself  in  the  trunk  of  a  gum- 
tree,  some  two  feet  from  the  ground. 

For  a  moment  there  was  a  breathless  silence,  and  then,  as  Gin  Sling  re- 
alized how  narrowly  he  had  escaped  a  sudden  and  violent  death,  he  gave 
one  spring,  shouting  as  he  did  so,  — 

«  oh, !  meie  scootie  !     Youe  fightie  !     Chinaman  muste  goe." 

I  saw  the  form  of  the  celestial,  as  though  it  had  taken  wing,  dart  through 
the  air,  his  body  almost  horizontal,  his  feet  covered  with  coarse  wooden 
shoes,  his  legs  extended  like  a  pair  of  shears  half  opened,  his  arms  out- 
stretched as  a  skillful  diver  about  to  make  a  plunge,  his  queue  erect  and 
stiff,  resembling  a  cat's  tail  when  suddenly  confronted  by  a  war-disposed 
dog,  and  then  my  friend  the  Chinaman  had  disappeared  behind  the  thick 
bit  of  scrub,  and  all  was  silent  for  a  while,  but  if  I  had  died  the  next  mo- 
ment, from  the  thrust  of  a  spear,  I  could  not  have  prevented  the  shriek  of 
laughter  that  escaped  me,  so  much  was  I  amused  at  the  sudden  flight  of 
Gin  Sling,  and  so  comical  was  his  disappearance. 

But.  even  while  roaring  with  laughter,  I  did  not  neglect  all  proper  pre- 
cautions for  my  own  safety.  I  had  seen  something  of  Indian  life  in  Cali- 
fornia and  Oregon,  and  knew  that  a  camp-fire  was  a  bad  place  for  a  person 
who  was  ambushed,  so,  with  a  quick  movement  of  the  body,  I  rolled  under 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  165 

the  shelter  of  the  acacia-bush,  and  awaited  further  developments,  and  did 
not  have  to  wait  long.  From  out  the  shelter  of  the  forest  came  six  black 
fellows,  with  terribly  scarred  breasts,  and  scant  clothing,  spears  and  boome- 
rangs in  their  hands,  and  heavy  waddies  and  nullas  hung  around  their  necks, 
and  trailing  after  them  came  a  gin,  or  old  female,  the  wife  of  one  of  the 
black  fellows,  and  on  her  back  she  bore  a  load  of  game,  and  some  packages, 
which  I  could  not  make  out,  and  over  her  shoulder  was  the  tail  of  the  black 
snake  that  I  had  killed  in  the  afternoon,  and  which  she  was  dragging  along 
the  ground  for  the  purpose  of  forming  the  basis  of  a  rare  old  gorging  feast, 
such  as  the  natives  of  Australia  indulge  in  when  they  have  an  opportunity, 
and  the  supplies. 

I  could  have  killed  the  whole  of  them,  and  escaped  unhurt,  I  verily  be- 
lieve, if  I  had  opened  fire,  but  the  black  fellows  did  not  seem  hostile,  or  to 
care  for  my  presence.  They  knew  that  I  was  under  the  acacia-bush,  but 
they  did  not  come  near  me,  or  threaten  me  with  their  spears,  as  they  might 
have  done,  so  I  concluded  that  they  had  made  the  attack  on  the  Chinaman 
through  accident,  or  else  with  the  idea  of  frightening  us  from  the  fire,  so 
that  they  would  not  have  the  trouble  of  rubbing  two  sticks  together  for  the 
purpose  of  producing  a  blaze. 

The  blacks  laid  aside  their  weapons,  the^z«  dropped  her  load,  the  men 
gathered  wood,  and  made  a  roaring  fire,  and  then  the  old  woman  threw  the 
body  of  the  snake  on  the  flames,  and  the  odors  of  burning  flesh  were  soon 
as  obnoxious  as  the  fumes  of  Gin  Sling?s  tobacco.  By  and  by  one  of  the 
dirtiest  of  the  tribe  made  a  movement  as  though  to  sit  down  on  my  blanket, 
and,  as  I  did  not  care  to  have  it  stained  by  the  filth  on  his  person,  I  got  up, 
and  went  toward  him,  revolver  on  the  cock,  determined  to  shoot  if  there 
was  the  least  sign  of  hostility. 

But  there  was  none.  The  natives  merely  grunted  a  welcome,  and  point- 
ed to  the  burning  snake,  as  an  invitation  that  I  could  share  their  disgusting 
meal,  or  that  I  had  killed  it,  and  they  were  greatly  obliged  to  me  for  the 
trouble  that  I  had  taken  in  their  behalf.  I  jerked  the  blanket  away  from 
the  fellow,  and  he  did  not  show  signs  of  resentment.  He  seemed  to  take  it 
as  a  matter  of  course  from  a  white  man.  I  did  not  then  know  that  the 
blacks,  so  near  a  mining  camp,  were  not  always  dangerous,  but  that  those  in 
the  remote  districts  did  not  hesitate  to  spear  a  man,  or  to  crack  his  skull 
with  a  waddy  if  the  humor  seized  them,  and  there  were  no  mounted  police 
near  to  revenge  the  murder  by  killing  ten  natives  to  one  white. 

As  the  black  fellows  were  so  well  disposed,  1  did  not  molest  them,  but 
gathered  all  my  property,  and  placed  it  near  me,  so  that  they  could  not 


1 66  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

steal  it,  and,  as  one  old  fellow  came  near,  after  I  had  sat  down,  I  said, — 

"  Ballarat." 

He  understood  me,  and  pointed  in  a  direction  the  very  opposite  from  the 
one  I  should  have  taken,  and  then  nodded,  and  repeated  the  word,  and 
pointed  a  second  time.  He  seemed  to  comprehend  that  I  was  lost  in  the 
bush,  and  wanted  to  find  the  way  out.  An  Australian  black  fellow  can 
find  his  way  through  the  densest  of  scrub  and  the  darkest  of  woods,  and  not 
lose  his  course,  and  can  track  a  child's  footsteps  over  a  plain,  or  through  a 
morass,  and  never  drop  the  scent  for  a  moment,  so  when  the  old  man  gave 
me  the  direction,  I  took  my  bearings,  and  determined  to  follow  his  course 
in  the  morning,  unless  I  was  murdered  in  the  night,  which  I  certainly  did 
not  expect  to  be,  unless  appearances  were  deceitful. 

Presently  the  black-snake  was  done  to  a  proper  degree  of  crackle  and  ten- 
derness, for  the  old  gin  had  attended  to  its  cooking  personally,  and  knew 
that  her  reputution  depended  upon  this,  one  of  the  proudest  moments  of 
her  life,  and  when  she  pulled  the  remains  from  the  ashes,  arid  asked  her 
friends  if  they  had  ever  seen  such  a  delicate  tid-bit,  there  was  one  universal 
grunt  of  approval,  and  they  fell  upon  the  meat  before  them,  as  the  alderman 
falls  upon  the  turtle  soup,  which  the  tax  payers  settle  for.  It  made  me  al- 
most sick  to  see  the  brutes  gorge  themselves.  There  was  enough  for  all, 
and,  as  they  tore  off  large  pieces  of  the  white  flesh,  I  will  confess  that  it 
did  not  look  so  bad  as  one  might  have  expected.  After  all,  is  the  flesh  of  a 
snake  much  worse  than  civilized  tripe  or  pig's  feet? 

But,  although  an  Australian  native  can  eat  enough  at  one  meal  to  cause 
even  an  Esquimau  to  turn  green  with  envy,  there  is  a  limit  to  his  capacity, 
yet  some  people  have  doubted  it.  In  this  respect  the  younger  and  more 
vigorous  eaters  gave  out  first,  like  impulsive  youths  who  did  not  know  how 
to  husband  their  strength,  and  then  the  elderly  men  dropped  off  one  by  one, 
until  only  the  old  gin  was  left,  and  she  continued  to  pick  a  bit  here  and 
there,  a  little  back-bone,  or  a  delicate  slice  from  the  stomach,  a  sip  of  brain, 
or  a  thread  of  entrails,  like  a  sweet  young  lady  who  is  examining  the  con- 
tents of  a  box  of  bon-bons,  and  knows  not  what  to  choose,  there  being  so 
much  richness  before  her.  The  old  woman's  face  was  so  dirty,  that  even  a 
New- York  street-cleaning  contractor  would  have  thrown  up  his  job  in  de- 
spair, but  it  beamed  with  oily  satisfaction  as  she  licked  her  fingers,  and 
sighed  to  think  that  she  could  eat  no  more  at  that  time,  much  as  she  would 
have  liked  to.  They  all  sat  around  the  fire,  and  chatted  in  their  guttural 
tongues,  but  sleep  was  stealing  over  them,  and  one  fellow,  whose  stomach 
was  distended  until  it  looked  like  the  bass  drum  of  a  musician  on  a  dress 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  167 

parade,  dropped  his  head  upon  his  scarred  breast,  and  snored  so  loudly  that 
one  of  the  younger  members  of  the  tribe  got  out  of  patience,  like  his  white 
and  Christian  brethren,  and  jabbed  his  grandfather  in  various  parts  of  his 
body  with  a  small  spear,  only  partially  awakening  the  old  man,  and  causing 
him  to  utter  curses  at  his  relative,  in  the  choicest  of  Australian  dialects. 

"Alas,"  I  thought,  as  I  reposed  on  my  blanket,  under  the  shade  of  the 
acacia-bush,  "how  very  human  and  natural  that  action  is.  It  proves  most 
conclusively  that  we  are  all  descended  from  one  common  origin,  with  the 
same  desires,  the  same  antipathies,  and  similar  persecutions  for  all  who 
make  night  hideous  by  snoring.  Only  substitute  sharp,  white  elbows  for  a 
spear,  and  the  likeness  is  complete,  and  can  be  accepted  in  our  world,  on  a 
brass  bedstead,  in  an  elegantly  furnished  chamber,  or  in  the  bush  of  an 
Australian  forest,  with  the  ground  for  a  resting  place,  and  naked  natives  as 
actors/' 

The  moon  was  low  behind  the  tall  gum-trees;  it  had  passed  its  zenith,  and 
\vas  hurrying  toward  the  horizon  as  though  fearful  it  would  not  be  on  time 
to  meet  an  important  engagement  in  some  distant  part  of  the  \vorld.  -The 
wind  sighed  mournfully  through  the  tree-tops,  the  owl  hooted  in  more  cheer- 
ful tones,  as  it  thought  of  the  feast  it  was  to  enjoy  as  soon  as  darkness 
stole  through  the  forest ;  the  parrots  and  parroquets  were  still  quarreling, 
but  in  more  subdued  tones,  as  if  tired  of  domestic  wrangling ;  the  dingos 
were  making  lively  work  for  some  stockman's  sheep,  far  off  on  the  plains, 
as  they  were  all  yelping  in  chorus,  trying  to  get  up  a  stampede  of  the  timid 
animals,  and  answered  by  howls  of  defiance  and  rage  from  the  domestic 
dogs,  which  have  no  love  for  their  wild  relatives,  and  fight  them  on  all  occa- 
sions, unless  the  odds  are  too  grea<;  the  savage  "hairy  tail  "  had  not  yet 
deserted  our  neighborhood,  but  lingered  near,  and  sniffed  the  good  things 
that  sent  forth  their  foul  odors  from  the  fire,  and  grumbled  and  growled  as 
he  saw  morsel  after  morsel  disappear  down  the  throats  of  his  enemies,  and 
feared  that  his  share  would  be  but  small  when  moving  time  arrived ;  the 
fire  burned  low,  and  was  not  replenished,  each  native  being  too  full  for  ac- 
tive exertions;  the  shadows  flickered  over  the  clearing  as  the  trees  bent 
their  boughs,  and  the  flames  danced  up  with  expiring  efforts,  only  to  sink 
down,  and  make  the  dim  light  a  little  more  dense,  and,  while  1  was  more 
than  half  inclined  to  nod,  and  trust  my  life  to  an  unseen  power,  I  saw  a 
sight  that  sent  a  chill  to  my  heart,  and  made  me  shrink  still  further  under 
the  shelter  of  the  acacia-bush,  and  to  drop  my  revolver,  and  clasp  my  hands 
in  a  vain  attempt  to  remember  a  childhood's  prayer,  for  moving  slowly  into 
the  dark,  open  space,  where  the  natives  were  nodding  and  sleeping,  glided 


1 68  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


a  hideous  phantom,  something  so  terrible,  that  I  would  have  cried  out,  and 
fled,  had  I  not  been  powerless  to  move  hand,  foot,  or  tongue.  I  made  an 
attempt  to  grasp  my  revolver,  but  could  not  do  so,  and,  with  eyes  distended, 
and  limbs  shaking,  watched  the  unearthly  visitor  as  it  approached, — a 
skeleton,  with  ribs  of  fire,  streaks  of  flame  on  breast  and  face,  eyes  that  were 
like  burning  coals,  cheeks  that  were  ever  changing  and  flashing,  as  the 
thing  moved,  with  blue  flames  issuing  from  mouth  and  nostrils,  and  arms 
and  hands  covered  with  shining,  will-o'-wisp  light,  that  trembled,  flickered, 
and  went  out,  only  to  re-appear  more  vivid  than  ever,  and,  as  the  phantom 
waved  its  hideous  arms  around  its  fiery  head,  and  uttered  a  groan  so  un- 
earthly that  even  the  owl  was  frightened,  and  flew  to  other  quarters,  where 
such  devilish  visitants  would  not  disturb  its  nightly  meditations  and  repose, 
I  wanted  to  shriek,  but  could  not;  I  wanted  to  fly,  but  my  limbs  refused  to 
obey  my  will,  and  so  I  was  forced  to  remain,  and  fancied  that  I  could  feel 
the  sulphurous  and  fiery  breath  of  this  fiend  from  the  infernal  regions,  for  it 
die  not  look  like  anything  earthly.  If  his  satanic  majesty  resembled  the 
skeleton  that  was  before  my  eyes,  I  resolved  to  be  a  sincere  Christian  for 
the  remainder  of  my  life,  for  I  had  no  desire  to  meet  such  an  object  in  the 
next  world,  and  determined  to  avoid  it  if  possible. 

"  Uoogh !  uoogh !  uoogh  !  "  groaned  the  midnight  visitor,  and  up  went 
its  arms  in  rapid  gyrations  around  its  head,  and  sparks  and  flames  seemed 
to  fly  in  the  air,  and  to  play  around  the  naked  skeleton,  and  to  fall  to  the 
ground,  and  run  along  the  dry  leaves,  then  leap  back  to  the  terrible  being, 
as  if  for  a  parting  embrace,  and  a  benediction,  before  dying,  and  disappear- 
ing from  sight. 

One  of  the  sleeping  black  fellows  leisurely  opened  one  eye,  and  glanced 
around.  His  gaze  fell  on  the  skeleton  of  fire,  and,  with  a  yell  that  could 
have  been  heard  even  by  the  quarreling  dingos,  a  mile  distant,  he  gave  a 
mighty  bound  over  the  scrub,  and  disappeared  in  the  bush. 

His  cry  awakened  the  remainder  of  the  natives.  They  supposed  at  first 
that  their  companion  was  suffering  from  an  attack  of  indigestion,  or  a  mild 
form  of  night-mare,  and,  as  they  roused  up  to  rebuke  the  fellow  who  had 
disturbed  their  rest  and  dreams,  and,  possibly,  to  whack  him  over  the  head 
with  a  waddy  for  his  rudeness,  their  eyes  sighted  the  terrible  apparition. 
There  was  a  sudden  and  general  rising  of  the  whole  tribe.  Even  the  old 
gin  staggered  to  her  feet,  and  rubbed  her  gummy  eyes,  and  looked  her  ter- 
ror and  astonishment. 

"  Nackietite  /  "  was  the  exclamation  from  every  mouth,  as  near  as  I 
could  understand  the  word,  and  I  may  be  wrong  in  leaving  off  one  or  two 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  169 


syllables,  but  I  suppose  the  real  translation  is,  ••  Well,  the  divil  has  got  us 
at  last,  sure,"  and  over  the  scrub  went  every  black  fellow,  showing  his  heels 
and  feet  in  the  air,  as  he  made  a  most  wonderful  plunge,  head  first,  for  a 
point  of  safety. 

All  but  the  gin.  I  suppose  that  her  womanly  delicacy  prevented  her  from 
plunging  into  the  bush  in  the  presence  of  a  stranger,  or,  perhaps,  she  was 
too  full  for  a  lively,  standing  jump,  such  as  her  relatives  had  accomplished. 
But  of  one  thing  I  was  assured,  she  could  scream  the  heads  off  of  her  com- 
panions, and  not  half  try,  like  a  delicate  young  lady,  who  can't  speak  above 
a  whisper  in  company,  and  yells  like  an  Apache  warrior  when  she  encoun- 
ters a  mouse  in  her  bed-chamber  or  on  the  stairs.  The  sharpest  loco- 
motive whistle  in  the  country  could  not  equal  that  old  hag's  yell,  as  she 
made  an  effort  to  jump,  but,  being  over-weighted,  could  not,  so  clapped  her 
hands  upon  her  extended  stomach,  and  waddled  off,  as  fast  as  she  could,  to 
find  her  friends,  leaving  spears,  boomerangs,  waddies,  and  bundles  near  the 
fire,  thinking  only  of  personal  safety,  and  not  of  personal  property,  and 
through  the  dry  bush  I  could  hear  the  natives  plunge,  uttering  the  most  dis- 
mal howls  as  they  thought  of  the  hideous  devil  that  was  after  them,  and 
likely  to  devour  them,  and  then  all  sounds  died  away,  except  a  low,  chuck- 
ling laugh,  a  sort  of  grunt  of  satisfaction,  and,  looking  toward  the  terrible 
visitor,  I  saw  that  the  fire  which  had  bathed  its  whole  mass  of  ribs  and 
bones  had  died  away,  and  a  voice  that  I  was  familiar  with  said,  — 

"  Blackie  fellie  muste  goe,  Chinaman  staye.  Notie  muchie foolie 

'boute  meie.  Hi  yah  !  " 

"  Gin  Sling,  you  wretch,  is  this  you  ? "  I  demanded,  springing  toward 
him,  and  as  much  surprised  as  I  was  pleased  to  see  that  the  terrible  visi- 
tor was  flesh  and  blood,  and  my  friend  the  Chinaman. 

"  Oh,  yesie,  meie  comee  backie  to  lookie  arter  youe.  Lordie,  howe 
blackie  fellie  runnie  whenie  seie  meie,"  and  he  laughed  as  heartily  as  a 
Chinaman  ever  does,  their  laughter  consisting  of  a  series  of  chuckles,  grunts, 
and  strangling  sensations,  as  though  a  fish-bone  was  lodged  in  their  throats, 
and  then  the  fellow  proceeded  to  tell  me  that  he  had  fled  but  a  short  dis- 
tance, and,  after  his  panic  had  subsided,  returned,  and  saw  that  I  was  not  kill- 
ed as  he  feared  was  the  case,  and  then  determined  to  scare  the  black  fellows 
who  had  frightened  him  so  badly.  For  this  purpose  he  had  taken  from  his 
pig-tail  the  stick  of  Chinese  phosphorus  which  had  attracted  my  attention 
when  he  first  unbraided  his  queue,  a  caustic  that  resembles  the  same  kind 
of  fiery  compound  as  is  used  in  this  country  by  match  makers,  but  is  more 
vivid  and  strong,  and  much  more  easily  applied  to  the  skin,  leaving  no  scars, 


I/O  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

or  black  marks  behind.  He  had  annomted  himself  from  head  to  foct,  even 
taking  the  trouble  to  remove  trousers  and  blouse  to  make  a  more  hideous 
appearance,  waiting  patiently  until  the  moon  had  disappeared  behind  the 
trees,  and  the  natives  were  partly  asleep,  before  venturing  upon  his  ghostly 
mission,  and  even  then  he  feared  that  he  would  frighten  me  away  as  well  as 
the  others,  if  he  should  be  so  fortunate  as  to  escape  a  shot  from  my  revolv- 
er, of  which  he  had  a  wholesome  dread.  But  he  had  determined  to  risk  all 
for  the  sake  of  having  a  little  quiet  Chinese  fun,  and  had  succeeded  beyond 
his  most  sanguine  expectations. 

"  Nowie  gibbe  meie  a  ittie  drinkie  of  rume,  and  thene  takie  sleepie  tille 
lightie.  Blackie  fellie  noie  comee  backie  heree  noie  morie.  Too  muche 
runnie  for  datie." 

He  had  a  pull  at  the  brandy,  and  a  sip  of  water  to  help  it  down,  and  then 
extinguishing  the  fire,  so  that  it  would  not  attract  other  wanderers,  we  went 
to  sleep,  and  slumbered  until  sunrise,  and  the  screaming  of  the  birds,  the 
chattering  and  scolding  of  the  parrots,  and  the  hoarse  calls  of  the  birds  of  para- 
dise awakened  us.  No  one  had  visited  us  during  the  time  we  had  slept, 
and,  as  we  had  no  toilets  to  make,  we  were  soon  ready  to  move,  and  endeav- 
or to  find  a  trail  that  should  lead  us  to  safety. 

The  spears  and  boomerangs  were  lying  just  where  the  black  fellows  had 
left  them.  There  were  also  half  a  dozen  waddies  and  nullas,  but  we  did  not 
need  them,  so  left  everything,  and  were  about  to  start,  when  I  kicked  one 
of  the  packages  which  the  old  gin  had  borne  upon  her  back  when  she  en- 
tered the  clearing,  trailing  the  snake,  the  night  before.  As  the  package, 
covered  by  a  mat  of  dried  leaves,  did  not  yield  to  my  energetic  movements, 
in  fact  it  rather  hurt  my  toes,  reminding  me  of  the  people  in  civilized  coun- 
tries, who  kick  at  hats  on  sidewalks,  on  the  first  day  of  April,  and  then  hob- 
ble away  on  one  foot,  convinced  that  a  mistake  had  been  made  somewhere, 
and  damning  the  boy  who  invented  the  trick,  so  I  uttered  an  exclamation 
that  sounded  like  a  blessing,  and  then  stooped  down,  and  examined  the  ar- 
ticle that  had  excited  my  ire.  I  tore  off  the  leaves,  and  then  stood  and 
looked  at  the  package  in  such  astonishment  that  I  could  not  speak,  for 
there,  lying  at  my  feet,  was  a  nugget  of  gold,  the  like  of  which  I  had  never 
seen  before  or  since,  for  purity  and  beauty  of  form.  It  was  as  large  as  a 
man's  big  fist,  and  resembled  it  in  many  respects,  with  not  a  speck  of  dirt 
or  quartz  to  be  seen  on  the  surface.  It  was  a  lump  of  pure  gold,  without 
alloy,  and  could  not  have  been  more  precious  if  it  had  just  come  out  of  a 
refiner's  crucible. 

"  Gin  Sling,"  I  said,  "  look  here,  and  see  this  nugget." 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


The  Chinaman  approached,  saw  the  nugget  of  gold,  and  fell  down,  and 
touched  his  lips  to  it,  as  though  it  was  a  sacred  idol,  and  he  was  the  most 
devout  of  worshipers. 

"  By  -  ,"  he  cried,  "nebbe  sawe  de  likie  aforee.  Youe  riche  nowie. 
Hi  yah  !  blackie  fellie  leavie,  and  runnie  'waye.  Alle  youe.  Niggies  no 
comee  backie,  and  if  they  dide  noie  habbie." 

I  lifted  the  treasure  from  the  ground,  and  examined  it  in  every  part.  Al- 
though so  small,  it  \vas  very  heavy,  and  I  judged  that  it  weighed  about 
twenty-five  pounds,  troy  weight,  and  afterward  I  found  that  I  had  made  a 
neat  guess,  it  weighing  just  twenty-five  and  one-half  pounds,  or  three  hun- 
dred and  six  ounces,  troy,  containing  twelve  ounces  to  the  pound.  It  was 
valued  at  twenty  dollars  an  ounce,  amounting  to  the  neat  sum  of  six  thou- 
sand one  hundred  and  twenty  dollars,  but,  owing  to  the  peculiar  formation 
of  the  nugget,  I  sold  it  for  much  more  to  an  agent  of  the  Melbourne  Geolog- 
ical Society,  as  a  rare  curiosity  of  gold  formation,  one  that  had  never  been 
equaled  or  excelled  in  any  respect.  But  of  this  I  shall  have  to  speak  here- 
after, and  in  its  proper  place. 

I  did  not  lose  time,  but  hunted  for  more  nuggets,  hoping  that  I  might  find 
an  additional  one,  thus  affording  another  illustration  that  a  man's  passion 
for  acquiring  wealth  never  ceases,  for  an  hour  before  I  should  have  deemed 
myself  rich  if  I  had  had  five  hundred  dollars  in  my  pocket,  in  addition  to 
what  I  had  in  the  Oriental  Bank.  But  no  more  lumps  of  gold  were  found, 
much  to  my  regret,  for  I  wanted  riches  for  the  sake  of  the  dear  young  lady 
I  had  left  in  the  city,  and  whom  I  hoped  to  win  if  I  should  be  lucky  at  the 
mines  ;  and  here  was  a  windfall  that  was  well  calculated  to  encourage  me  to 
persevere,  for  I  did  not  expect  to  see  the  natives  again,  and  certainly  I 
hoped  I  should  not,  for  I  calculated  that  the  gold  would  do  me  more  good 
than  the  barbarous  blacks,  who  could  not  know  the  value  of  the  nugget, 
and  had  probably  picked  it  up  in  some  dry  water  course.  Ah,  if  I  could 
have  induced  the  black  fellows  to  pilot  me  to  the  spot  where  they  had  dis- 
covered it  how  I  should  have  rejoiced.  But  there  was  no  hope  of  that,  so 
wrapping  the  precious  treasure  in  my  blanket,  and  tying  the  ends  of  the 
latter  so  that  the  gold  would  not  escape,  or  be  seen,  I  slung  the  burden 
over  Gin  Sling's  shoulders,  took  my  bearings,  and  once  more  commenced 
my  journey,  and  how  happy  I  should  have  felt  had  I  but  been  sure  that  I 
could  find  the  trail. 

I  followed  the  direction  that  the  old  black  had  given  me.  tramped  along 
sturdily,  and  with  hope,  the  Chinaman  chattering  like  a  magpie,  and  con- 
demning to  everlasting  punishment  all  bushrangers,  black  fellows,  and 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


"  Slingismen  "  who  took  a  fancy  to  punch  a  celestial's  head  if  just  in  the 
humor. 

On  we  went,  over  trees  that  were  so  decayed  that  it  was  dangerous  to 
step  on  them  for  fear  of  snakes  and  ants,  skirting  scrub,  and  dodging  unde- 
branches,  disturbing  animals  in  their  forenoon  naps,  and  receiving  many  ; 
hiss  from  an  angry  snake,  and  guttural  toot  from  a  blinking  owl,  until  at 
last  I  was  forced  to  stop  and  consider  whether  I  was  on  the  right  course. 
If  I  was  not,  my  lump  of  gold  would  be  a  cheap  exchange  for  the  correct 
road,  if  we  could  find  any  one  willing  to  make  the  trade. 

Gin  Sling  looked  at  me  as  we  stopped,  and  wiped  the  perspiration  from 
.  his  brow.  He  saw  that  I  was  troubled,  but  his  face  lighted  up  with  a  grin, 
as  if  to  encourage  me  not  to  lose  all  heart. 

"  Noie  fearie,"  he  said.  "  Wee  comee  oute  alle  rightie.  Seeie,  youe 
waitie  ittie  whilie.  Meie  goie  upe  treeie,  and  seeie  whate  I  shalle  seeie." 

The  idea  was  a  good  one.  He  selected  a  gum-tree  that  was  at  least  two 
hundred  and  fifty  feet  high,  the  monarch  of  the  forest  in  that  vicinity,  with 
branches  that  extended  almost  forty  feet  from  the  ground.  The  Chinaman 
removed  his  blouse,  so  as  to  refrain  from  soiling  it,  kicked  off  his  thick 
shoes,  and  up  the  tree  he  crawled,  in  a  style  that  would  have  made  even  a 
black  fellow,  the  most  expert  tree  climbers  in  the  world,  feel  envious.  Up 
he  went,  hardly  pausing  to  take  breath,  until  at  length  the  top  of  the  tree 
was  gained  and  I  awaited  with  a  trembling  heart  for  his  verdict  of  life  or 
death  to  us.  He  looked  long  and  anxiously  in  all  directions,  and  I  began 
to  feel  that  death  stared  us  in  the  face,  when  he  uttered  a  dinner-gong-like 
laugh,  and  shouted,  — 

"  Alle  rightie  nowie.  Seeie  Ballarate,  de  roade,  and  alle  dings  plainie. 
Dis  waie.  Youe  notie  for  surie." 

He  pointed  in  a  direction  a  little  to  the  right  of  the  one  which  we  had 
been  pursuing,  showing  that  the  old  black  fellow  had  given  me  the  right 
course,  but  that  we  had  deviated  from  it,  as  all  people  do  who  have  no  fixed 
object  to  steer  for.  Our  right  feet  had  taken  a  little  longer  pace  than  our 
left,  and  thus,  in  the  course  of  time,  we  should  have  been  wandering  around 
in  a  circle,  and  surely  lost,  like  hundreds  and  thousands  of  people  in  similar 
circumstances,  not  only  in  Australia,  but  this  country. 

Once  more  I  took  bearings,  and  this  time  determined  to  keep  well  to  the 
right,  and,  when  Gin  Sling  descended,  I  asked  him  how  far  we  were  from 
the  road,  and  was  delighted  to  learn  that  it  could  not  be  more  than  half  a 
mile,  and  that  Camp  Reserve  was  not  more  than  two  miles  from  the  spot 
where  we  were  stopping. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  173 

"  Alle  rightie  nowie.     Comie  onie,"  said  Gin  cheerfully. 

We  resumed  our  journey,  and  in  an  hour's  time  saw  sunlight  shining 
through  the  woods,  and  then  heard  the  crack  of  a  stockman's  whip,  and  a 
hoarse  voice  roaring  at  cattle,  the  bark  of  a  dog,  and  the  whinnying  of  a 
horse,  and  the  whistling  of  some  light-hearted  person,  possibly  a  miner  on 
his  way  to  the  city,  with  enough  gold-dust  in  his  buckskin  bag  to  make 
things  lively  for  a  while,  when  he  would  again  return  to  the  mines,  and  la- 
bor for  more,  and  repeat  his  useless  enjoyments. 

"  Gin  Sling/'  I  said,  as  we  halted  on  the  edge  of  the  wood,  but  still  out  of 
sight  of  the  road,  "  don't  mention  the  gold  nugget." 

"Alle  rightie;  meie  noie  foolle.  Chinaman  sabie  muchie  some- 

timee,''  and  the  fellow  showed  his  teeth,  and  grinned. 

We  felt  thirsty  and  tired,  and,  for  the  last  time,  took  a  pull  at  the  brandy 
and  water,  and  then,  refreshed  and  encouraged,  we  stepped  from  the  woods 
into  the  road,  and  were  met  by  a  mounted  policeman,  who  sat  on  his  horse 
in  the  middle  of  the  trail,  and  was  whistling  to  relieve  the  monotony  of  his 
long,  dull,  and  dusty  beat,  at  the  same  time  keeping  a  bright  lookout  for  all 
who  passed  him,  going  to  Ballarat,  or  in  another  direction.  We  came  upon 
the  man  so  suddenly  that  we  could  not  have  avoided  him  had  we  been  so 
disposed.  But  we  were  tired,  and  needed  rest  and  water,  and  so  I  put  on  a 
bold  front,  and  astonished  the  mounted  trap  by  our  unexpected  appearance 
from  the  forest ;  and  strange-looking  objects  we  must  have  been,  covered 
with  dust  and  dirt,  our  clothes  torn  in  many  places,  and  that  peculiar  look 
on  our  faces  which  people  have  after  being  lost  in  the  bush  for  several  days, 
a  look  half  of  despair  and  half  of  terror,  as  though  fearful  that  the  human 
beings  you  met  were  enemies,  and  had  some  designs  on  your  life  and  for- 
tunes, and  half  inclined  to  run  away  from  the  dearest  of  friends,  and  this 
sensation  usually  lasts  several  days.  But  we  had  not  suffered  enough  to 
feel  all  such  effects,  or  we  should  have  avoided  the  policeman,  and  his 
cheerful  whistle. 


"KITTY,  MY  POOE  CHILD!"  i  CRIED,  AS  I  LAID  A  HAND  VERY  GENTLY  ON  HER  HEAD. 


PART   VIII. 

BALLARAT  AND  ITS  MINES.  —  HOW  THREE  OLD  PIRATES  SOLD  A  CLAIM 

AND  MYSELF  AT  THE  SAME  TIME.  —  HOUSE-CLEANING  MADE  EASY. 

—  A  NEWSPAPER'S  ACCOUNT  OF  MY  WEDDING.  —  MISS  KITTY 

STUCKLY   MAKES   ME   AN  UNEXPECTED    CALL,   AND 

WANTS  TO  TALK  OF  LOVE,  BUT  I  DECLINE  TO 

LISTEN.  —  THE   ARRIVAL    OF    MR.   MUR- 

DEN  AT  MY  SHANTY  IN  THE  NIGHT, 

AND   WHAT   HE  SAID. 

A  S  the  Chinaman  and  myself  struck  the  road,  close  to  the  mounted  po- 
**•  liceman,  he  gave  us  a  glance,  and  then  laid  his  hand  lightly  on  the  car- 
bine which  he  carried  at  his  saddle  bow.  We  would  have  passed  him  with 
but  a  nod  and  a  word,  but  the  man  was  not  disposed  to  let  us  go  without  a 
few  questions,  which  might  prove  of  interest  to  one  in  his  calling. 

'•  Hullo,  mate,"  he  said,  looking  me  all  over,  and  ignoring  the  Chinaman, 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  175 

as  being  of  no  account,  and  hardly  worthy  of  notice  ;  "  not  so  fast,  if  you 
please.  I  want  a  word  with  you.  Where  did  you  come  from  ?  '' 

"  From  the  bush,  where  we  have  been  for  two  days,  and  hard  work  we 
had  to  find  our  way  out.  Thanks  to  your  gentle  whistle,  as  sweet  to  our 
ears  as  the  tones  of  vesper  bells  to  the  Sicilian,  we  have  struck  a  trail,  and 
want  food  and  water  as  soon  as  we  can  get  them/' 

"None  of  your  chaffing,"  was  the  response  of  the  stately  policeman. 
"  Never  joke  with  a  police  officer  when  he  is  on  duty.  If  you  want  a  drink 
take  one  from  my  canteen,  and  in  welcome,"  and,  as  he  spoke,  he  handed 
me  a  water-bottle  that  held  about  two  quarts,  from  which  I  took  a  long  and 
refreshing  pull,  and  then  passed  it  to  Gin  Sling,  who  followed  suit  wi£h. 
quiet  alacrity,  to  the  intense  disgust  of  the  officer,  who  said,  — 

"  You  might  have  let  that  heathen  wait  until  you  reached  the  camp." 

"  And  see  him  surfer  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  It  is  not  much  matter  if  he  did.  There  are  too  many  of  these  fellows 
in  the  mines  at  the  present  time,  and  not  one  in  a  dozen  pays  a  tax.  The 
copper-colored  rascals  look  so  much  alike  that  we  can't  tell  them  apart,  and 
when  we  go  for  their  taxes  one  license  answers  for  twenty,  as  they  pass  it 
from  hand  to  hand,  or  else  burrough  in  their  claims  like  squirrels.  They 
are  a  bad  lot,  buy  nothing,  spend  nothing,  live  on  nothing,  and  take  out  of 
the  country  all  that  they  can  steal  or  earn,  blast  them  !  I  don't  like  them, 
and  no  one  does." 

This  was  the  prevailing  opinion  of  the  Chinese  at  the  time,  and  I  do  not 
think  there  has  been  a  change  of  sentiment  for  the  better  since  I  was  in 
Australia.  They  were  disliked  by  miner  and  stockman,  shepherd  and  la- 
borer, policemen  and  officials,  but,  even  while  the  officer  was  thus  express- 
ing his  true  sentiments,  Gin  Sling  was  listening  with  unmoved  face,  but  at 
his  flat,  puggy  nose  was  placed  a  thumb,  and  four  fingers  gyrated  in  the  air, 
like  a  saucy  boy  in  our  cities  some  years  since,  when  such  a  movement  of 
the  thumb  and  fingers  expressed  doubt  and  contempt,  distrust  and  defiance. 
In  fact,  I  think  that  it  is  even  used  at  the  present  day  by  some  men,  for  I 
recently  saw  a  grave  and  dignified  professor  put  his  thumb  to  his  nose,  and 
whirl  his  fingers,  to  show  his  disgust  at  some  question  asked  him  by  a 
friend. 

I-Uit.  while  Gin  Sling  was  thus  gravely  poking  fun  at  the  policeman,  whose 
back  was  turned,  he  did  not  let  the  official  catch  him  at  such  ambiguous 
practices,  but  dropped  his  hand  like  a  flash  when  the  officer  looked  in  his 
direction. 

"  Have  you  seen  any  suspicious-looking  horsemen  near  the  bush  ? "  asked 


176  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

the  officer,  whom  I  now  discovered  was  Larry,  the  same  man  who  had  over- 
hauled Mike  and  myself  the  night  we  left  Melbourne. 

"No,  we  could  not  very  well  see  horsemen  while  we  were  in  the  bush,"  1 
answered. 

"  True,  but  men  sometimes  leave  their  horses  at  the  edge  of  the  scrub, 
and  enter  the  bush  on  foot.  Three  bushrangers  are  in  the  neighborhood, 
—  Black  Dick,  Slipper  Sam,  and  a  young  fellow  we  can't  locate.  He  must 
be  a  new  man,  as  we  never  heard  of  him  before." 

As  I  had  not  seen  the  persons  described,  I  was  about  to  resume  my  jour- 
ney, when  the  officer  again  stopped  me  with  a  question. 

"  Have  you  seen  a  young  and  genteel-looking  swell  on  the  road,  or  in  the 
bush  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  No,  we  have  seen  no  one,"  I  replied. 

"  All  right,  only  I  'd  like  to  meet  him.  Send  me  word  if  you  see  such  a 
swell,  and  I  '11  do  a  favor  for  you  some  time.'T 

"  What  is  he  wanted  for?  "  I  asked. 

"  Oh,  blessed  if  I  know.  Some  confounded  woman  scrape,  I  believe. 
There  's  a  reward  for  his  arrest,  but,  if  taken,  he  's  to  be  treated  with  great 
respect  and  kindness.  Fed  on  champagne  and  fruit,  I  suppose.  The  force 
is  going  to  the  devil,  there  's  so  much  kindness  shown  to  Chinamen  and 
prisoners." 

He  was  about  to  trot  off  to  patrol  his  district,  when  I  asked  a  question. 

"  Shall  I  have  to  obtain  a  license  to  mine  for  gold  ?  " 

"Yes,  five  bob  a  month,  and  payable  in  advance,  at  the  mining  office, 
where  you  will  be  allotted  a  claim,  and  you  can  work  it  for  all  that  it  is 
worth,  clear  down  to  the  world  underneath  us,  if  you  want  to,  but  most  peo- 
ple are  satisfied  with  striking  a  reef  of  rocks,  and  stopping  there.  But  don't 
attempt  to  dig  gold  until  you  get  a  license.  It  might  cost  you  all  the  dust 
and  nuggets  you  gathered.  If  you  expect  to  make  your  fortune  at  mining 
take  the  blessing  and  good  wishes  of  a  policeman,  for  even  small  things  are 
not  to  be  despised  in  such  a  case." 

He  laughed,  and  rode  off,  leaving  me  to  infer  that  mining  was  not  such  a 
profitable  business  as  I  had  anticipated,  but,  with  the  nugget  of  gold  al- 
ready in  my  possession,  I  felt  that  I  could  afford  to  meet  a  few  disappoint- 
ments, and  yet  not  feel  very  poor,  even  at  the  end  of  a  year. 

"  Youe  seeie,  alle  folkes  hatie  Chinaman,"  Gin  Sling  said,  as  we  trudged 
along.  "  Allie  causie  wee  livie  cheapie,  and  noie  drinkic  rummie,  and  raisic 
devitie." 

As  I  did  not  understand  the  question  that  had  been  raised  at  that  time  in 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  177 

Australia,  I  marveled  at  the  policeman's  dislike,  but  afterward  found  that 
the  celestials  were  a  little  tricky  in  paying  their  taxes,  but  the  white  miners 
were  not  immaculate  in  that  respect,  and  took  every  occasion  to  cheat  all 
who  belonged  to  the  government,  and  land  grabbers  seized  on  every  acre  of 
available  territory,  and  laughed  at  the  officials  who  meant  to  be  as  honest  as 
possible,  consistent  with  a  full  pocket. 

About  ten  o'clock  we  struck  Camp  Reserve,  and  passed  down  Sturt 
Street,  looking  to  the  right  and  left  for  a  stopping-place.  Gin  Sling  was 
well  acquainted  in  the  Chinese  quarter,  but  he  said  that  it  would  not  suit 
me,  and  that  I  must  keep  away  from  it.  Some  men  there,  he  said,  would 
st^al  the  teeth  out  of  my  head,  unless  I  kept  my  lips  locked  up  with  a  pad- 
lock, and  threw  the  key  down  a  deserted  shaft.  At  last  I  saw  a  rough 
house,  that  looked  a  little  neater  than  the  rest,  and  on  a  sign  the  information 
was  given  that  travelers  could  have  good  beds  and  board,  on  reasonable 
terms.  I  found  that  a  stout  English  woman  kept  the  place,  and  that,  while 
she  was  willing  to  receive  me,  if  I  would  pay  by  the  day,  and  in  advance, 
she  was  decidedly  opposed  to  making  a  tea-box  of  her  quarters  to  accommo- 
date Gin  Sling,  and  the  only  way  that  I  could  satisfy  her  was  to  say  that 
the  celestial  was  my  servant,  and  that  I  could  not  remain  unless  he  was 
permitted  to  do  so.  I  said  that  he  could  sleep  on  the  floor  in  my  room,  and 
eat  as  best  he  could,  until  I  found  a  place  to  pitch  my  tent,  and  go  to  min- 
ing, the  method  that  all  miners  adopted  unable  to  erect  a  shanty. 

"  Now,  Gin,"  I  said,  after  we  had  taken  possession  of  a  room  that  was 
about  six  by  six,  destitute  of  bed  or  chair, "  do  you  stay  here,  and  take  care 
of  the  gold,  and  let  no  one  steal  it  from  you,  while  I  go  and  get  a  license  to 
mine,  and  see  where  we  can  locate." 

"  Bellie  goodie.  Meie  doie,"  and,  taking  possession  of  my  revolver  and 
rifle,  he  sat  down,  and  prepared  to  watch  the  precious  deposit. 

I  found  my  way  to  the  office  where  licenses  were  issued,  paid  a  tax  for 
Mike,  Gin,  and  myself,  said  that  I  did  not  know  where  I  should  sink  a 
shaft,  so  did  not  want  any  allotment  just  then,  but  would  look  around. 
There  were  a  dozen  men  in  the  room,  some  waiting  for  allotments,  others 
to  transfer  their  claims  to  new-comers.  As  I  was  leaving  the  office,  a  bat- 
tered, piratical-looking  sailor  touched  me  on  the  arm,  and  said, — 

"  Was  yer  lookin'  for  a  good  claim,  mate  ?  " 

"  Yes,  that  is  just  what  I  am  looking  for,"  was  my  response. 

"Well,  mate,  I  has  a  claim  that  is  jist  rotten  with  richness,  but  yer  see  I 
'se  hurted  my  right  hand,  and  can't  work,  and  the  doctor  says  I  must  go  to 
the  city,  and  get  into  a  hospital,  where  a  bloody  old  saw-bones  can  have  a 


178  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

look  at  it,  and  my  mates  they  wants  to  go  with  me,  'cos  they  has  got  a  good 
many  shots  in  the  locker,  and  they  don't  want  to  work  all  their  days  in  this 
blasted  old  hole." 

Alas,  I  was  fearfully  green  as  to  the  tricks  of  the  Ballarat  miner.  A  week 
later  I  should  have  laughed  at  the  old  pirate,  and  left  him  to  attempt  swin- 
dling some  one  else,  but  now  I  stopped  and  listened,  the  very  thing  I  should 
not  have  done. 

"  Yes,  mate,"  said  the  dirty,  grisly  old  scamp,  "  we  has  a  claim  that  is 
forty  by  forty,  and  a  shaft  that  is  down  twenty  feet,  and  we  can  jist  scoop 
up  the  gold  nuggets  and  the  dust  every  time.  We  a'n't  doin'  much  now, 
since  I  hurtedmy  hand,  but  we  has  all  we  wants,  and  there  goes  with  the 
claim  a  nice  shanty,  that  won't  leak  unless  it  rains  very  hard,  and  it  has  three 
bunks  in  it,  and  a  table  for  the  grub,  and  pots,  and  pans,  and  chairs,  and 
everything.  It  's  jist  like  a  royal  palace,  it  is  now,  I  tell  yer." 

"  And  what  is  the  price  for  all  ?  "  I  demanded. 

"  Well,  mate,  the  whole  is  worth  twenty  sovs,  but  you  can  have  it  for 
ten." 

"  Let  me  see  your  license,"  1  said. 

He  showed  it  to  me,  and  also  the  allotment  to  mine  on  lot  one  thousand 
and  eight.  I  went  to  the  clerk,  and  asked  if  the  papers  were  correct,  and  if 
the  old  fellow  owned  such  a  mine.  He  grinned,  and  said  that  everything 
was  correct. 

"  You  are  in  a  hurry  to  be  rich,  a'n't  you  ?  "  the  clerk  asked,  still  smil- 
ing. 

"Yes:  why?" 

"  Oh,  nothing,  except  seeing  you  buy  a  valuable  piece  of  property.  O 
Jack,  Jack,  you  '11  kill  some  of  us  before  long,"  and  the  clerk  laughed  and 
winked  at  the  pirate,  who  turned  his  back,  and  was  gazing  at  the  mining 
camp,  as  though  much  interested  in  such  a  show  of  industry  as  was  spread 
all  over  the  plain. 

"  Come  and  look  at  the  plant,  mate,"  whispered  the  pirate.  "The  clerk 
is  a  joker,  and  likes  his  laugh,  but  when  he  sees  yer  wuth  millions  he  won't 
grin  so  much,  I  tell  yer." 

I  was  not  really  suspicious  that  I  was  being  sold,  and  the  reason  was  be- 
cause I  did  not  feel  in  immediate  want  of  money,  but  still  was  determined 
to  be  rich  as  soon  as  possible,  and  wanted  to  purchase  a  claim  where  a  shaft 
had  been  sunk,  and  thus  save  time  and  labor. 

"  Come  with  me,  mate,"  repeated  the  old  pirate.  "  J  '11  show  you  the 
Ban k-of- England  Mine," 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  179 

"Why  did  you  name  it  such  a  high-sounding  title  ?"  I  asked. 

"  Oh,  'cos  the  parties  what  owns  that  'ere  mine  will  be  able  to  buy  out  the 
bank,  if  they  works  it  long  enough.  It  's  jist  bustin'  with  richness,  that 
mine  is." 

The  claim  was  on  Sturt  Street,  some  distance  from  the  rest  of  the  miners 
and  shafts.  Two  other  villainous-looking  scoundrels  were  seated  at  the 
door  of  a  shanty,  engaged  in  a  game  of  all  fours,  at  a  shilling  a  game, 
and  when  pirate  number  one  said  that  he  had  offered  the  whole  establish- 
ment for  ten  sovereigns,  the  two  others  dashed  down  their  cards  in  a  rage, 
and  vowed  that  they  would  n't  submit  to  such  a  swindle.  They  would  have 
twenty  sovs,  or  not  a  penny.  The  first  pirate  said  that  his  hand  was  bad, 
and  he  must  go  to  Melbourne,  and  have  it  looked  arter,  and  it  was  devilish 
hard  on  a  pard,  which  had  done  as  well  as  he  had  by  his  mates,  to  have  to 
stand  in  the  gap,  but  the  two  rascals  were  firm,  and  took  me  out  to  see  the 
shaft,  and  the  windlass  to  draw  up  the  dirt,  and  the  heavy  bucket,  and  the 
nearness  to  the  stream,  and  the  abundance  of  shafting  wood  that  was  close 
at  hand,  and  at  last  one  old  scoundrel  said  that  he  would  not  sell  at  any 
price,  as  he  wanted  to  make  a  few  more  thousands  before  he  knocked  off 
work  for  good,  an:l  become  a  swell  in  some  great  city,  so  that  he  could  have 
his  grog,  and  his  pipe,  and  his  bit  of  land,  and  a  tidy  lass  to  keep  him  com- 
pany. 

Upon  this  the  first  pirate  set  up  a  howl,  and  said  that  it  was  a  bloody 
shame,  and  that  his  hand  would  drop  off  with  the  dry  rot  unless  he  had  re- 
lief, and  his  old  friends  to  take  care  of  him  while  he  was  on  the  sick  list, 
and  then  the  obstinate  pirate  said  he  would  n't  be  hard-hearted,  and  he  'd  sell 
for  twenty  sovs,  and  not  a  penny  less,  and  then  the  others  agreed  that  the 
sum  was  low,  and  that  they  would  n't  take  anything  different. 

"  Let  me  see  a  specimen  of  the  gold  that  you  have  taken  from  the  mine," 
I  said,  and  this  demand,  instead  of  staggering  them,  seemed  to  brighten 
them  up.  for  one  of  the  pirates  went  to  his  bunk,  and  took  out  a  bag,  and 
showed  me  three  or  four  pounds  of  nuggets.  This  looked  like  business, 
but,  as  the  old  scamps  had  made  so  much  talk,  I  determined  to  retire,  and 
not  buy  their  property  unless  I  could  do  so  at  my  own  price,  and  on  very 
liberal  terms. 

"  Look  you,  mates,  I  said,  "  I  don't  want  to  take  such  valuable  property 
from  you,  so  will  let  some  other  person  buy  it.  I  will  look  around,  and  see 
what  I  can  find  in  another  quarter.'' 

The  faces  of  the  three  men  changed.  I  was  not  so  green  as  they  had 
supposed. 


I  So  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


"Oh,  take  the  mine  for  ten  sovs,"  all  cried,  with  one  accord,  when  they 
saw  me  moving  off. 

"  No,  I  don't  want  it,"  was  the  reply,  as  I  edged  away  from  them,  as  if 
indifferent. 

"  What  will  you  give  for  it  ?  "  was  the  next  humble  question. 

"  Five  sovereigns,"  was  my  cautious  answer. 

"  Sold  :  it 's  yours,"  all  shrieked,  in  chorus,  as  though  they  feared  that  I 
would  decline,  and  not  come  to  the  scratch. 

I  saw  the  game  then,  but,  as  the  shanty  was  worth  something,  I  did  not 
think  that  I  had  been  swindled  to  any  great  extent,  and  had  no  doubt  but 
that  I  could  get  my  money  back  when  I  wanted  to  sell.  I  went  to  the  of- 
fice, and  had  transferred  to  me,  in  proper  form,  the  Bank-of-England  Mine, 
and,  as  the  clerk  handed  me  the  document,  and  I  paid  the  pirates,  he  laugh- 
ed, and  said,  — 

"  You  're  the  tenth  person  who  has  bought  the  mine  in  the  past  two 
weeks,  and  1  Ve  no  doubt  but  that  you  '11  get  as  sick  of  it  as  the  former 
proprietors,  in  the  course  of  a  few  days." 

"  But  there  has  been  considerable  gold  taken  from  the  mine,"  I  said. 

"  Not  even  a  penny  worth,"  was  the  response.  "  It  's  a  sell,  and  those 
three  old  sharpers  will  again  take  possession  when  you  leave,  renew  their 
papers,  and  dispose  of  the  mine  to  some  other  new-comer.  They  have  not 
done  a  day's  work  for  months,  and  they  do  not  need  to.  They  get  enough 
to  buy  rum  and  tobacco,  and  that  is  all  they  care  for." 

"  But  I  saw  a  bag  full  of  nuggets.  They  showed  them  to  me,  and  said 
they  came  from  the  mine,"  I  cried. 

"  The  nuggets  were  manufactured  ones,  made  for  this  market,  and  used 
to  salt  mines  with.  There  was  not  a  shilling's  worth  of  gold  in  the  whole 
lot,"  was  the  frank  communication. 

"  But  it  seems  to  me  that  the  police  should  protect  new-comers,"  I  re- 
marked. 

"  We  should  have  to  employ  a  thousand  men  to  do  that.  The  best  that 
we  can  do  is  to  prevent  miners  from  jumping  each  other's  claims. 
Then  we  come  down  on  them  like  a  thousand  of  brick,  and  make  the  law 
felt,  even  if  we  have  to  shoot  a  few  jumpers.  Hope  you  will  have  better 
luck  next  time,  and  that  you  will  keep  your  eye  peeled  on  the  chances. 
Good-day." 

As  I  walked  out  of  the  office,  a  little  ashamed  of  my  verdancy  in  being 
swindled  by  three  such  vile  old  sinners,  I  saw  the  pirate  whose  hand  was 
rotting  off,  raising  a  pot  of  beer  to  his  mouth  with  the  very  hand  that  was 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


so  bad,  and  all  three  of  the  villains  bowed  to  me,  and  drank  to  me,  and  then 
roared  \vith  laughter,  and  told  every  person  in  the  ale-house  how  nicely 
they  had  swindled  me,  while  -the  old  fellow  whose  hand  was  so  bad  that  it 
was  liable  to  decay,  unless  medical  attendance  was  promptly  resorted  to, 
waved  that  member  in  a  free  and  hearty  manner,  to  show  that  he  had  re- 
covered its  use  in  a  miraculous  manner. 

Of  course  I  did  riot  show  any  of  the  vexation  that  I  really  felt.  I  would 
not  give  the  pirates  the  satisfaction  of  supposing  that  I  was  disappointed 
in  my  purchase,  so  passed  the  fellows  in  silence,  and  left  them  carousing  in 
the  saloon,  drinking  bitter  beer,  and  making  plans  for  catching  new  green- 
horns as  soon  as  1  got  tired  of  my  bargain,  and  abandoned  the  claim  and 
shanty.  To  be  sure,  I  had  paid  but  little  for  both,  but  that  was  the  secret 
of  the  financial  success  of  the  gang,  for,  had  they  asked  a  large  sum,  the 
would-be  purchaser  might  have  made  inquiries,  and  had  his  eyes  opened  at 
the  attempted  fraud. 

I  found  Gin  Sling  carefully  guarding  the  nugget,  and  the  few  articles  I 
had  left  in  his  charge,  and  when  I  told  him  that  I  had  bought  a  claim,  and  a 
shanty,  he  nodded  his  head,  and  said,  — 

"  Bellie  goode.     Goe  npwe." 

"  No,  Gin,  we  will  go  there  tomorrow,  and  clean  up  the  place,  and  get  it 
in  order,  to  commence  work  in  the  course  of  a  few  days.  But  I  'm  afraid 
that  we  sha'n't  find  much  gold  in  the  mine." 

"  Noie  cane  telle.     Alle  luckie.     Wee  seeie  by  by." 

I  had  dinner,  and  received  some  congratulatory  remarks  from  those  whom 
I  met  on  the  Bank-of-England  Mine,  and  there  were  many  laughs  as  I  was 
asked  what  I  should  do  with  the  gold  that  I  took  out  of  my  claim,  while  the 
landlady,  who  had  taken  quite  a  fancy  to  me,  expressed  her  firm  intention 
of  scalding  the  old  pirates  if  they  ever  came  near  her  residence,  and  then 
rebuked  me  for  not  confiding  in  her,  like  a  mother,  before  I  made  a  move 
toward  business.  I  answered  all  in  good  nature,  never  lost  my  temper  fora 
moment,  and  at  last  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  the  current  of  opinion 
change,  and  to  hear  some  hard-faced,  John-Bull-looking  men  declare  that  it 
"was  a  bloody  shame,  and  that  the  police  should  stoo  such  business  as  tc 
allow  new-comers  to  be  swindled." 

As  we  were  very  tired,  and  the  afternoon  was  excessively  warm,  Gin  and 
I  had  a  nap,  and,  after  a  refreshing  sleep,  I  went  through  the  town,  and 
learned  the  art  of  mining,  as  far  as  1  could  in  the  short  space  of  time  that  I 
had  to  spare.  I  found  that  all  shafts  were  sunk  until  a  ledge,  or  reef,  as 
they  called  it,  was  reached,  and,  if  gold  was  not  found  on  the  ledge,  "he 


1 82  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

shaft  was  abandoned  as  useless,  and  all  labor  was  lost,  and  the  unlucky 
speculators  had  to  locate  a  new  claim,  and  try  once  more,  unless  funds,  or 
credit,  gave  out. 

The  ledge,  where  the  largest  nuggets  were  found,  sloped  toward  the 
stream,  and,  whileTin  some  places  a  depth  of  four  feet  only  would  be  re- 
quired to  reach  it,  yet,  twenty  feet  from  the  spot,  it  was  necessary  to  dig 
down  thirty  or  forty  feet,  and  even  as  deep  as  eighty  or  a  hundred  feet, 
where  water  was  found,  and  had  to  be  pumped  out  to  permit  the  miners 
to  work  with  safety.  Most  of  the  shafts  had  buckets  going  up  and  down, 
the  owners  being  too  poor  to  buy  pumps,  and  slow,  laborious  work  it  was 
to  keep  the  mines  from  overflowing.  All  grumbled  at  their  blasted  luck,  as 
they  called  it,  and  only  in  three  or  four  instances  did  I  find  men  who  would 
acknowledge  that  they  were  making  good  clay  wages.  Such  a  thing  as  a 
ten-pound  nugget  had  not  been  seen  for  many  days,  so  they  all  said,  al- 
though some  of  two  or  three  ounces  in  weight  were  met  with  occasionally, 
and  fine  scale  dust,  such  as  I  had  mined  in  California,  was  almost  unknown, 
except  on  the  banks  of  some  of  the  streams,  or  in  the  dry  diggings,  near  the 
foot  of  the  hills. 

When  I  went  to  sleep  that  night  it  seemed  to  me  that  Florence  was  a  long 
distance  from  me,  and  that  I  should  never  overtake  her,  but  still  I  dreamed 
of  her,  and  must  have  called  her  name  in  my  sleep,  for  Gin  Sling,  in  the 
morning,  said,  with  a  grin, — 

"  Youe  talkie  alle  timee  'boute  onie  gallic,  and  wante  to  kisse,  and  shee 
noie  lete.  Youe  comee  China  withe  meie,  and  meiefindie  ittie  gallic,  footie 
noie  bigie  thane  babie.  Youe  likie  kisse  alle  daye,"  and  Gin  smacked  his 
lips,  as  he  thought  of  the  dark-eyed  females  of  his  country,  whose  feet,  if 
of  the  first  families,  are  so  small  that  their  owners  cannot  walk  without  as- 
sistance, and  such  deformity  is  called  beautiful  in  the  eyes  of  Chinamen, 
but  the  women  don't  pinch  their  waists. 

After  breakfast  we  went  over  to  my  new  purchase.  The  pirates  had 
moved  out,  and  taken  up  their  quarters  in  an  ale-house,  waiting  for  events. 
Gin  looked  very  grave  as  he  glanced  at  the  property,  at  the  shaft,  and  the 
little  prospect  there  was  for  gold.  But  he  noticed  that  I  was  not  in  good 
spirits,  and  did  not  make  any  comments  except  to  say,  — 

"  Noie  goodie.     Notie  worthie  a  ." 

I  tried  the  bucket  at  the  shaft,  and  found  that  it  was  in  fair  order,  and 
that  the  notched  stick  of  timber,  to  enter  and  leave  the  mine,  was  safe.  I 
went  down  twenty  feet,  and,  by  the  aid  of  a  candle,  saw  that  no  one  had 
worked  the  mine  for  months.  The  shovels  and  pick-axes  were  rusty,  and 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  183 

half-covered  with  debris  that  had  fallen,  and  then,  suddenly,  an  idea  entered 
my  mind  that  was  worth  adopting. 

'•  Gin,"  I  said,  speaking  so  low  that  he  could  just  hear  me  as  he  leaned 
over  the  windlass,  "lower  the  big  nugget  down.  This  is*  the  place  to  con- 
ceal it  until  I  am  ready  to  use  it.  No  one  will  ever  think  of  looking  for  it 
here/' 

"  Alle  rightie."  was  the  answer,  and  down  came  the  lump  of  gold,  still 
wrapped  in  the  blanket.  I  covered  the  precious  treasure  with  some  old  sail- 
cloth that  I  found  at  the  bottom  of  the  shaft,  and  then  spread  a  layer  of 
dirt  over  all,  sent  the  tools  to  the  surface  to  be  cleaned  from  rust,  and  once 
more  rejoined  Gin.  Then  we  took  a  survey  of  the  shanty,  and  saw  that  it 
needed  soap  and  water,  and  plenty  of  them,  before  I  should  dare  to  inhabit 
it,  for  I  feared  contamination. 

Gin  understood  the  art  of  house-cleaning.  He  got  out  a  big  pot,  filled  it 
with  water,  made  a  fire  in  the  rough  fireplace,  just  out-of  doors,  stripped  off 
his  blouse,  shook  out  his  pig-tail,  gave  me  his  bag  of  gold,  and  begged  me 
to  keep  it  for  him,  and  to  do  what  I  pleased  with  it,  until  he  called  fDr  it, 
pitched  out-of-doors  all  the  old  dunnage  that  the  pirates  had  left,  — tables, 
chairs,  and  bunks,  —  hunted  up  a  bar  of  soap,  and  a  brush,  and  said  that  he 
would  scrub  everything  clean  while  I  wandered  clown  the  street  in  search  of 
furniture,  such  as  we  should  require,  and  a  few  dishes  to  use  upon  the  table 
when  we  took  our  meals. 

While  I  was  looking  up  odds  and  ends,  I  saw  a  substantial  building,  and 
a  large  sign  on  it,  giving  notice  that  it  was  a  branch  of  the  Oriental  Bank, 
Melbourne.  Before  the  door  stood  an  armed  policeman,  and,  on  asking 
him  if  the  institution  was  all  right,  he  said  that  it  was  as  good  as  the  Bank 
of  England. 

"  Not  the  mine  of  that  name,  but  the  mother  of  all  banks  in  England,  the 
old  lady  herself,"  and  the  officer  grinned,  and  I  had  no  doubt  but  that  he 
recognized  me  as  the  unfortunate  purchaser  of  the  mine  with  the  substan- 
tial name. 

"  Have  you  got  out  enough  gold  to  make  a  deposit  so  soon  ?  "  asked  the 
officer.  "If  you  have  you  have  done  better  than  the  former  owners.  It  is 
a  sell,  and  don't  you  waste  time  on  that  mine.  It  is  no  use." 

"  Well,  I  shall  give  it  a  fair  trial,"  I  said.  "  I  am  in  no  hurry  to  leave  it. 
I  like  the  place,  and  intend  to  stay  there  for  the  present,  at  least." 

The  officer  laughed  as  I  walked  into  the  bank,  and  saw  that  it  was  quite 
an  extensive  establishment,  with  bright  scales  and  massive  safe,  and  a  seri- 
ous-looking man  as  cashier. 


1 84  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  What  are  you  paying  for  gold  this  morning  ?  "  1  asked. 

"  About  eighty  shillings  an  ounce,  if  pure,"  was  the  answer. 

I  emptied  Gin's  gold-dust  on  a  sheet  of  white  paper.  The  cashier  went 
all  over  it  with  a  magnet,  and  then  examined  each  nugget  with  great  care, 
for  fear  of  fraud. 

"I  will  give  eighty  shillings  an  ounce  for  it,"  the  cashier  said.  "It  is 
pure,  and  a  good  lot." 

"  If  I  leave  the  money  on  deposit  will  you  allow  me  interest  for  it  ?  "  I 
asked. 

"Yes,  I  will  allow  you  ten  per  cent  if  it  is  left  on  deposit  longer  than  a 
month,"  was  the  satisfactory  answer. 

"  Take  it,"  I  said,  and  the  dust  was  weighed  out,  and  I  found  that  Gin 
had  three  pounds  and  a  half,  or  forty-two  ounces,  worth  about  eight  hun- 
dred and  forty  dollars.  I  took  out  a  certificate  of  deposit  in  my  own  name, 
with  the  understanding  that  I  could  transfer  it  to  the  Chinaman  at  any 
time,  and  that  he  would  be  paid  as  readily  as  myself.  I  determined  that 
Gin  should  not  lose  his  hard-earned  gains  by  gambling  (a  vice  that  no  Chi- 
man  can  resist),  if  I  could  prevent  it. 

Then  I  went  and  purchased  some  rough  but  decent  chairs,  a  table,  some 
dishes,  coffee  and  tea,  pots,  knives  and  forks,  tin  pans,  three  palm-leaf  mat 
tresses,  blankets,  pails,  and  dippers,  and,  by  the  time  I  had  completed  my 
bargains,  and  shipped  them  to  the  mine,  it  was  twelve  o'clock,  and  every- 
body was  out  of  the  bowels  of  the  earth,  and  eating  dinner,  such  as  they 
could  obtain. 

I  found  Gin  with  an  assistant  in  the  person  of  a  young  Chinaman.  He 
had  picked  him  up  in  the  course  of  the  forenoon,  and  set  him  to  cleaning. 
They  had  made  a  visible  improvement  in  the  shanty.  The  bunks  were  torn 
down,  the  walls  and  floors  scrubbed  clean,  not  a  trace  of  dirt  to  be  seen 
anywhere,  excepting  the  deep  stains  of  weather  and  decay,  and  Gin  was 
hard  at  work  widi  hammer  and  nails,  putting  up  a  shelf  here  and  there, 
hooks  and  pegs  to  hang  clothes,  a  closet  for  dishes,  strips  on  the  roof  to 
keep  out  the  rain,  if  we  should  have  one,  new  boards  on  the  sides  of  the 
imposing  shanty,  so  that  inquisitive  people  could  not  see  what  was  going 
on  inside,  and,  while  working,  he  was  driving  his  countryman  by  words  and 
actions  to  make  greater  exertions  in  his  labors,  shooting  at  his  head  all 
sorts  of  pigeon  English,  and  a  mixture  of  guttural  sounds,  that  reminded 
me  of  an  eager  boy,  who  wants  to  talk  when  his  mouth  is  full. 

Where  the  lumber  came  from  I  did  not  know,  but  I  think  that  Gin  com- 
pelled the  young  Chinaman  to  go  and  find  it,  and  bring  it  to  him.  He 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  185 

might  have  stolen  it,  or  he  possibly  got  trusted.  I  never  heard  the  full  par- 
ticulars, and  received  no  bill. 

"  Gin,"  I  said,  as  he  stopped  to  rest  for  a  moment,  "  where  did  you  pick 
up  your  countryman  ?  " 

"  Oh,  hee  bellie  goodie  manie.  Meie  knowie  hime  muchie.  Noie  paye  for 
alle  dis  workie.  Gibe  hime  grubbie,  dat  alle." 

I  could  well  afford  to  do  that,  and  he  had  a  square  meal  at  the  boarding- 
house,  and  by  sundown  all  of  our  furniture  was  in  place,  the  table  set,  our 
few  clothes  hung  up,  the  mattresses  spread  on  the  floor,  candles  lighted,  a 
good  pot  of  tea  ready,  some  hard  tack,  and  a  can  of  preserved  meat  opened, 
and  we  were  all  ready  to 'commence  housekeeping  in  earnest,  or  just  as 
soon  as  Mike  made  his  appearance,  and  he  could  be  looked  for  any  day. 
The  Chinamen  would  not  sit  down  to  the  table  with  me,  although  I  invited 
them  to  do  so.  They  preferred  to  wait,  they  said,  until  I  had  concluded  my 
frugal  meal.  They  evidently  felt  that  I  was  some  person  of  importance,  and 
I  fear  that  Gin  Sling  romanced  to  his  companion  when  telling  of  my  re- 
markable deeds  in  the  forest.  At  first  I  did  not  know  but  that  the  China- 
men had  concocted  a  little  scheme  to  steal  the  big  nugget,  and  murder  me, 
but  then  I  thought  Gin  would  not  have  intrusted  to  me  all  his  savings,  and 
asked  for  no  account  of  the  same,  and  I  was  the  more  persuaded  that  no 
harm  was  intended  by  his  covering  the  mouth  of  the  shaft  with  some  lo£[s 
which  had  been  hauled  to  the  mine  by  the  previous  owners  to  keep  the 
sides  of  the  shaft  in  place  in  case  the  depth  required  it. 

"  Tomorrowe,"  said  Gin,  as  I  rose  from  the  table,  "  meie  builde  onee  ittie 
roome  fore  youe.  Den  bellie  goode  fore  alle." 

I  liked  the  plan,  and  said  that  I  would  find  some  lumber.  It  would  give 
me  a  room  to  myself  of  an  evening,  or  when  I  wanted  to  read  and  write. 
The  expense  would  be  but  a  trifle,  and  three  of  us  could  build  the  annex  in 
a  day. 

We  moved  from  the  boarding-house  that  night,  and  took  up  permanent 
quarters  in  our  shanty,  and,  after  we  had  lighted  our  room  with  candles,  it 
did  not  look  so  bad  and  uninviting,  and  I  rather  felt  proud  to  think  that  I 
was  the  owner  of  such  a  unique  establishment.  Gin  Sling  and  his  friend 
wanted  to  rim  over  to  the  Chinese  quarters,  and  see  some  of  the  disciples 
of  Confucius,  and,  as  I  had  no  objection,  off  they  went,  and  I  was  left  with 
my  pipe,  and  a  late  Melbourne  paper.  The  Boomerang,  which  my  landlady 
had  given  me  just  as  I  took  leave  of  her.  I  did  not  expect  to  see  in  the 
journal  anything  that  would  interest  me,  but  I  spread  it  on  the  table,  and 
the  first  article  that  my  eye  fell  on  was  the  following :  — 


IS6  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  MARRIAGE  IN  HIGH  LIFE.  —  We  learn  that  the  young  and  wealthy 
Earl  of  Afton  was  united  in  holy  wedlock  last  evening  to  the  beautiful  and 
accomplished  daughter  of  our  affluent  and  respected  fellow-citizen,  Ander- 
son Kebblewhite,  Esq.,  wool  merchant,  Collins  Street.  The  lady  has  been 
known  for  the  last  two  years  as  the  Belle  of  Australia,  and  she  is  justly  en- 
titled to  that  flattering  distinction,  as  her  beauty  is  something  to  be  remem- 
bered for  many  years  if  seen  but  once.  The  wedding  was  quite  private, 
only  the  immediate  family  friends  being  present.  This  announcement  will 
cause  some  heart-aches  in  our  city,  when  it  is  read  by  the  young  gentlemen, 
who  have  followed  in  Miss  Kebblewhite's  train  ever  since  she  entered  soci- 
ety, some  two  years  ago,  and  numerous  have  been  the  handsome  offers 
which  the  young  lady  has  received,  but  to  all  she  turned  a  deaf  ear,  until  his 
lordship  arrived  here  in  the  frigate  Carrysford,  a  passenger  and  friend  of 
Lord  George  Pollock,  the  captain,  last  from  Hong  Kong,  China,  just  four 
weeks  since.  This  is  quick  matrimonial  work,  but  proves  that  love  is  im- 
pulsive, and  not  to  be  restrained  by  society's  formal  demands  for  delay. 
The  earl  is  only  nineteen  years  of  age,  and  has  an  income  of  three  hundred 
thousand  pounds  a  year,  beside  castles,  lands,  and  jewels,  all  of  the  value 
of  two  or  three  million  pounds  sterling.  He  is  the  sixth  Earl  of  Afton,  we 
believe,  and  has  a  mother  living,  the  dowager  Countess  of  Afton,  but  no 
brothers  or  sisters.  This  wedding  has  made  a  great  sensation  in  the  city, 
and  is  considered  the  best  match  of  the  day,  for  while  the  noble  bridegroom 
has  birth,  the  bride  has  great  beauty,  more  than  enough  to  counterbalance 
her  husband's  rank  and  wealth.  Thus  another  tie  is  formed  of  flowers  and 
gold,  silk  and  happiness,  to  bring  our  prosperous  colony  nearer  and  nearer 
to  the  mother  country.  Our  reporter  was  not  able  to  see  the  bride,  as  the 
wedding  was  private,  but  one  of  the  servants  said  that  she  'looked  'eaven- 
ly,'  and  no  doubt  but  that  she  did,  still  it  would  have  been  a  little  more  in 
accordance  with  our  free  institutions  if  the  doors  of  the  mansion  had  been 
thrown  open,  and  the  press  invited  to  enter,  and  take  a  few  notes  of  the. 
dresses,  the  bridal-chamber,  and  other  matters  which  would  interest  our 
fair  lady  readers.  Neither  is  it  just  such  treatment  as  our  reporter  is  ac- 
customed to,  to  have  the  outer  door  slammed  in  his  face,  when  he  asks  a 
few  pertinent  questions  of  a  very  uncivil  man  servant,  or  butler,  as  the  peo- 
ple of  Victoria  Parade  now  call  any  human  being  clothed  in  livery.  We  do 
not  want  a  bloated  aristocracy  in  Australia  at  any  time.  We  can  get  along 
without  it,  just  at  present,  and  for  years  to  come,  and  we  will  state,  for  the 
information  of  whom  it  may  concern,  that  the  threat  to  set  a  bull-dog  on  the 
person  of  a  gentleman  of  the  press,  did  not  cause  a  particle  of  fear  in  the 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


heart  of  a  man  who  has  faced  the  enemies  of  Her  Majesty,  God  bless  her! 
in  more  ways  than  one,  and  is  ready  to  do  so  again,  if  necessary.  Our  citi- 
zens like  fair  play,  and  will  sustain  the  press  in  protecting  the  liberties  of 
the  people,  even  if  they  have  to  wade  through  blood  knee  deep  to  accom- 
plish their  object.  We  do  not  mention  this  matter  because  we  care  to 
participate  in  the  festivities  of  a  wedding  in  high  life,  but  simply  as  one  of 
our  rights,  and  will  have  them,  regardless  of  uncivil  menials,  or  threats  of 
bull-dogs.  Where  there  is  news  to  be  had  we  shall  endeavor  to  obtain  it, 
regardless  of  expense,  and  so  we  dismiss  this  wedding  in  nigh  life,  with  the 
wish  that  the  young  couple  may  enjoy  the  future  as  they  have  the  past,  and, 
when  they  visit  England,  will  exert  their  influence  for  some  modification  of 
the  postal  laws,  so  that  a  newspaper,  as  valuable  and  useful  as  ours,  can  be 
sent  through  the  mails  at  half  the  present  rates.  The  Earl  of  Afton  is  call- 
ed a  very  handsome  young  gentleman.  We  were  presented  to  him  at  the 
governor's  reception,  and  would  have  explained  to  him  many  things  that  re- 
late to  the  welfare  of  Australia,  but  his  lordship  was  wearied  by  the  bores 
who  surrounded  him,  and  only  gaped  and  yawned  as  he  saw  that  they  were 
determined  to  talk  him  to  death.  It  is  a  little  singular  that  some  of  our 
well-meaning  people  do  not  know  enough  to  take  a  hint  when  in  the  pres- 
ence of  first-class  society.  However,  we  have  been  reliably  informed  that 
his  lordship  reads  our  valuable  journal  every  morning  at  the  breakfast-ta- 
ble, and  no  doubt  he  has  noted  our  able  leading  articles,  and  reflected  on 
them,  and  will  avail  himself  of  the  knowledge  which  they  contain  to  be  used 
hereafter  in  the  House  of  Peers.  Our  old-fashioned  contemporary,  always 
a  year  behind  in  news  and  enterprise,  never  yet  enjoyed  the  distinction  of 
being  perused  by  a  real  earl,  at  breakfast,  or  at  any  other  time.  We  shall 
still  keep  the  price  of  our  journal  at  one  penny  a  single  copy,  or  one  pound 
ten  shillings  a  year,  in  spite  of  the  expense  which  we  are  constantly  adding 
to  our  establishment,  to  produce  a  paper  second  to  none  in  the  world.  This 
may  cause  our  poor,  spiritless  contemporary  to  squirm,  but  talent  and  en- 
terprise will  succeed,  and  we  shall  be  found  willing  to  give  an  account  of 
the  lady  in  her  boudoir,  her  dresses  and  toilettes,  as  well  as  the  grave  compli 
cations  at  the  government  house,  by  a  fractious  ministry,  disappointed  and 
angry  at  being  foiled  in  an  attempt  to  rob  the  people  of  their  rights.  Papers 
in  wrappers  can  always  be  had  at  the  counting-room." 

"  THE  VERY  LATEST.  —  SOMETHING  MYSTERIOUS,  AND  REMARKABLE.  — 
Just  as  we  were  going  to  press,  at  three  o'clock  this  morning,  a  report 
reached  our  office  of  so  remarkable  a  nature,  that  we  sent  a  special  messen- 


1 88  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

ger  to  a  free-and-easy,  where  our  reporter  .was  presiding,  to  summon  him  to 
the  office  for  active  service.  There  was  no  time  to  lose  if  we  would  keep  at 
the  head  of  the  journals  of  Melbourne.  It  seems  incredible,  no  doubt,  but 
the  young  Earl  of  Afton  suddenly  and  mysteriously  vanished  a  few 
hours  after  his  marriage  with  the  handsomest  lady  in  the  country.  He  dis- 
appeared, and  no  one  knew  where  he  had  gone,  or  his  reasons  for  going. 
Our  reporter  was  instantly  despatched  to  the  mansion  of  Mr.  Kebblewhite, 
to  learn  the  full  particulars  of  this  unhappy  affair.  He  saw  that  the  house 
was  all  blazing  with  light,  and  that  people  were  moving  back  and  forth,  as 
though  much  excited,  while  every  few  minutes  a  hansom  dashed  up  to  the 
front-door,  and  some  one  alighted,  and  went  into  the  mansion  for  consulta- 
tion, and  then  re-entered  the  carriage,  and  was  driven  off  at  a  rapid  gait.  Our 
reporter,  sheltered  by  a  cedar-tree,  and  thus  out  of  sight  of  the  inmates  of 
Mr.  Kebblewhite's  house,  knew  that  it  was  useless  to  apply  at  the  front- 
door for  information,  so  skipped  around  to  the  rear,  and  saw  one  of  the 
young  ladies  connected  with  the  household,  holding  the  important  position 
of  chamber-maid,  or  assistant  seamstress.  She  was  questioned  very  closely 
by  our  reporter,  and  told  that  she  need  not  say  anything  to  implicate  or 
criminate  herself  in  any  way,  but  that  she  must  speak  the  truth,  and  be  very 
quick  about  it,  if  she  would  save  much  trouble  to  herself,  and  the  whole 
family.  Upon  this  cheerful  assurance  the  young  lady  said  that  she  had 
been  stationed  at  the  head  of  the  front  stairs,  to  indicate  to  his  lordship  the 
room  he  was  to  occupy,  and  that  at  a  late  hour  —  she  could  not  be  assured 
of  the  precise  time,  although  questioned  very  closely  on  that  point  by  our 
reporter,  who  has  attended  many  sessions  of  the  police  court  —  his  lordship 
came  up-stairs,  all  smiles  and  blushes,  but  when  he  saw  the  young  lady 
who  acts  as  assistant  seamstress,  or  chamber-maid,  his  smiles  suddenly 
ceased,  and  he  looked  at  her  fixedly,  without  saying  a  word,  for  several  sec- 
onds. Then  he  sighed  deeply,  put  his  arm  around  her  waist,  and  kissed 
her  several  times  in  rapid  succession,  before  he  let  up.  The  young  lady 
was  so  astonished  at  this  remarkable  act  of  a  nobleman  on  his  bridal  night, 
that  she  did  not  offer  the  least  resistance,  and  could  not  have  screamed  if 
he  had  kissed  her  a  dozen  times  more,  only  she  was  fearful  her  *  missus  ' 
was  looking  through  the  keyhole.  Then  his  lordship  slipped  a  sovereign 
in  her  hand,  and  told  he:-  to  keep  mum  (and  she  always  should),  and  she 
showed  our  reporter  the  sovereign,  and  told  him  the  date  that  it  bore,  but 
refused  to  let  him  take  the  coin  in  his  own  hands,  even  under  a  sacred 
promise  to  return  it  the  next  day,  and  then  a  still  more  solemn  obligation 
to  hold  it  but  for  a  few  minutes.  The  young  lady's  word  can  be  implicitly 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  189 

relied  on,  as  she  has  been  in  the  country  for  fifteen  years,  and  her  sentence 
expired  some  three  years  ago,  having  been  transported  for  setting  a  house 
on  fire,  in  the  hope  of  burning  her  father  and  new  step-mother.  Upon  be- 
ing asked,  quite  candidly,  what  she  supposed  was  the  real  cause  of  1  is 
lordship's  sudden  disappearance,  she  blushed  quite  vividly,  and  hesitated, 
but  our  reporter  pressed  the  question  home  to  her,  and  then  she  thought 
that  the  young  earl  had  suddenly  felt  as  though  he  had  made  a  mistake  in 
marrying  so  hastily,  and  before  he  had  looked  around  a  little,  and  seen 
some  young  ladies,  who  might  not  be  rich,  yet  had  just  as  much  beauty  as 
some  other  young  ladies  who  were  wealthy,  and  that  after  he  had  seen  her, 
and  kissed  her,  he  felt  that  there  was  no  longer  any  happiness  in  this  world 
for  him,  and  he  had  fled  the  house,  and  committed  suicide.  Upon  being 
asked  if  the  earl  had  ever  seen  her  before,  she  said  that  she  had  at  one 
time  met  him  in  the  hall,  and  that  his  lordship  had  looked  at  her  quite  fix- 
edly, and  then  stumbled  over  a  dust-pan,  and  said  a  wicked  word,  a  method 
which  noblemen  have  of  paying  a  compliment  to  women  whom  they  like. 
Upon  being  further  pressed  the  young  lady  said  that  the  word  sounded  like 
'  damn.'  She  was  quite  certain  that  his  lordship  was  sober  when  he  came 
up-stairs.  He  had  been  drinking  freely,  but  he  could  walk  straight,  and 
talked  quite  nicely.  She  had  freed  herself  from  his  'embrace  as  soon  as  she 
thought  of  the  keyhole,  and  she  saw  him  enter  the  proper  chamber,  and  she 
had  listened  at  the  door  for  half  an  hour,  or  more,  she  could  not  tell  which, 
and  she  heard  low  talking,  but  could  not  make  out  any  words,  and  all  at 
once  her  mistress  tumbled  down,  and  she  ran  in,  and  saw  that  his  lordship 
had  fled  through  a  window,  and  that  her  young  lady  was  lying  on  the  floor, 
nearly  speechless,  and  crying  out  that  she  *  wanted  her  mamma.'  Of  course 
there  was  a  tumult,  and  a  doctor  was  sent  for,  and  Mr.  Kebblewhite  and 
his  son,  and  Monsieur  Allete,  searched  the  whole  city  to  find  his  lordship, 
and  punish  him,  and  we  are  glad  to  know  that  they  did  not,  for  we  want  no 
lynching  in  Melbourne,  or  blood  shed.  The  law  is  sufficient  to  protect  the 
highest,  and  the  lowest,  the  rich  and  the  poor.  The  press  must  frown  upon 
such  meditated  violence,  no  matter  where  it  comes  from. 

"  After  squeezing  the  young  lady  quite  dry,  our  reporter  visited  several 
of  the  houses  situated  on  Victoria  Parade,  and,  after  hard  ringing  and 
pounding  on  the  doors,  was  enabled  to  arouse  the  inmates,  and  put  ques- 
tions to  them  as  to  the  disappearance  of  his  lordship.  Most  of  the  neigh- 
bors did  not  seem  pleased  with  the  Kebblewhites,  and  so  told  our  reporter 
to  go  to  a  hotter  place  than  Australia,  and  that  the  whole  tribe  of  Kebble- 
whites might  follow,  for  all  they  cared.  As  it  was  near  four  o'clock  in  the 


1 90  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


morning,  it  is  probable  the  good  people  felt  a  little  annoyed  that  they  \verc 
not  invited  to  the  wedding,  and  so  have  a  chance  to  read  their  names  in 
print.  We  thank  our  fellow-citizens  for  answering  our  reporter's  questions 
so  plainly,  but  the  elderly  party,  who  emptied  a  pail  of  slops  on  his  person, 
will  be  looked  after  if  he  is  ever  before  our  police  court,  and  his  whole 
record,  from  the  time  he  was  transported  until  the  present  period,  will  be 
brought  to  light. 

"  Of  course  our  reporter  found  our  able,  efficient,  courageous,  and  gentle- 
manly Chief  of  Police,  Mr.  Murden,  in  his  office,  and  smoking  a  choice  ci- 
gar, from  the  store  of  Cabbage  &  Growem,  Russell  Street,  first  door  on  the 
right.  He  was  asked  for  all  the  facts  connected  with  the  case,  and  he  said 
that  he  was  not  prepared  to  furnish  them  just  at  that  time,  as  such  informa- 
tion would  defeat  the  ends  of  justice.  We  can  assure  the  citizens,  how- 
ever, that  the  Chief  has  his  eye  on  his  lordship,  and  could  put  his  hand  on 
him  at  any  time,  if  it  was  really  necessary.  His  lordship  has  not  committed 
suicide,  and  there  are  twenty  mounted  police  on  his  trail,  and  they  will  be 
heard  from  in  due  time.  The  Chief  says  his  lordship  had  one  peculiarity 
which  was  not  generally  known.  After  he  had  drank  three  bottles  of  cham- 
pagne, or  more,  he  was  liable  to  be  troubled  with  aberration  of  mind,  and 
not  to  know  where  his  home  really  was  located,  and  to  mistake  other  peo- 
ples' wives  for  his  own,  and  to  deny  that  he  was  a  lord,  but  still  no  alarm 
need  be  felt.  He  was  married  to  the  Belle  of  Australia,  and  that  lady  is 
now  the  Countess  of  Afton,  whether  he  returns  to  the  Kebblewhite  mansion 
or  not.  Our  efficient  Chief  of  Police  will  give  our  reporter  the  first  infor- 
mation that  is  received,  and  our  citizens  can  be  assured  that  as  long  as  we 
have  as  active,  as  brave,  and  as  gentlemanly  a  person  as  Mr.  Murden  for 
Chief  of  our  police  force,  no  wrong-doer  will  escape  punishment,  whether 
he  be  nobleman  or  plebeian. 

"We  hope  to  have  a  few  more  facts  in  time  for  an  extra  this  forenoon, 
but  can't  promise,  as  our  reporter,  tired  and  wet,  is  now  drinking  unlimited 
quantities  of  gin  and  sugar  to  keep  out  the  cold.  Of  course,  after  this,  \vc 
shall  raise  his  salary  five  shillings  a  week,  thus  making  him  the  munificent 
donation  of  fifteen  shillings  a  week  for  his  services,  and  they  are  worth  it. 
Hereafter  he  will  be  able  to  dress  so  as  to  mingle  in  the  best  society,  and 
will  be  comme  il  faut  as  regards  costume,  which,  for  the  information  of  our 
contemporary,  as  it  neither  understands  French,  nor  the  best  of  Queen's 
K.ijilish  (God  bless  her),  means  that  our  reporter  will  be  about  as  good  as 
they  make  them,  and  able  to  hold  up  his  head  with  the  best  in  the  land,  at 
the  governor's  house,  or  private  residences. 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


"  In  the  mean  time  we  tender  our  sympathies  to  Mr.  Kebblewhite  and  his 
distressed  family,  and  especially  to  that  young  wife  who  has  thus  early  real- 
ized how  hard  is  the  road  to  happiness  when  a  coronet  is  in  perspective. 
No  steps,  we  hope,  will  be  taken  for  a  divorce  until  after  a  full  explanation, 
and,  in  the  mean  while,  we  offer  our  columns  to  the  lady,  the  noble  lord,  or 
the  father,  for  a  full  and  free  discussion  of  the  merits  of  the  affair,  reserv- 
ing to  ourselves  the  privilege  of  writing  quite  freely  for  or  against  either  party, 
and,  in  the  mean  time,  our  paper  will  be  sold  for  one  penny  single  copy,  or 
at  the  usual  yearly  rates,  and  advertisements  inserted  on  liberal  terms,  with 
displayed  head  lines." 

When  I  had  finished  reading  this  delectable  piece  of  scandal,  my  pipe 
was  out,  and  my  happiness,  also,  for  I  could  have  shed  tears  of  vexation  at 
the  manner  in  which  Florence's  name  had  been  introduced  by  the  reporter 
of  the  paper.  It  was  evident  that  the  affair  had  created  an  intense  excite- 
ment in  town,  and  that  I  was  looked  after  quite  sharply  by  the  police,  and 
others,  but  I  did  not  anticipate  that  any  one  would  discover  in  me  the  no- 
ble lord  who  had  made  so  much  trouble  in  the  city.  How  my  heart  beat  for 
my  poor  little  wife,  and  I  wondered  if  she  suffered  much  on  my  account, 
and  if  she  was  really  ill  from  mortification  and  grief?  and  then  I  remember- 
ed her  beauty  and  her  grace,  and  I  could  see  her  sweet  smile  as  she  looked 
up  in  my  face  on  the  night  of  the  wedding. 

While  I  was  musing  over  my  misery,  and  the  unfortunate  publicity  of  my 
kissing  that  confounded  chamber-maid,  and  wondering  why  she  should  lie 
so  outrageously  about  the  number  of  times  my  lips  met  hers,  when  I  was 
ready  to  swear  on  the  Bible  that  I  had  kissed  her  but  once,  and  then  un. 
der  a  slight  aberration  of  mind,  the  door  opened  unceremoniously,  without 
the  formality  of  a  knock,  and  in  walked  an  old  man,  bent,  wrinkled,  and 
gray,  and  none  too  clean. 

"  Evenin',  mate,"  he  said.  "  I  'as  called  in  a  friendly  way,  'cos  yer  is  a 
neighbor  of  mine,  and  I  makes  it  a  pint  to  call  on  all  the  green  ones,  and 
give  'em  a  little  bit  of  adwice.  Yer  'as  got  a  bad  claim,  but  don't  yer  be 
put  hout  as  long  as  yer  'as  me  to  adwise  yer.  A  bit  of  'baccy  vould  n't 
be  bad  jist  now,  and  a  little  sumthin'  to  drink  vould  not  be  amiss,  but  don't 
yer  trouble  yerself.  I  '11  take  rum  or  beer." 

I  gave  him  a  pie(fe  of  tobacco  and  a  pipe,  and  a  glass  of  beer,  and  my 
caller  made  himself  at  home  in  a  very  cool  manner. 

u  Yes."  he  said,  although  I  had  not  addressed  him,  "as  yer  say,  I  'm  the 
oldest  miner  at  Ballarat.  I  vos  'ere  ven  the  fust  gold  vos  taken  hout,  and  I 


192 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


'elped  to  do  it.     A  little  more  'baccy,  please,  and  another  glass  of  beer. 
Thank  yer,  sir.     'Ere  's  to  yer,  and  my  respects,  and  all  that." 


MINERS     SPORTS. 


He  blew  out  a  cloud  of  smoke,  and  then  resumed  the  thread  of  his  re- 
marks :  — 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  193 

"Lord,  vot  times  ve  did  'ave,  to  be  sure,  ven  the  gold  vas  fust  diskiver- 
ed  'ere.  Ve  took  it  hout  by  the  pound,  and  I  'as  made  as  much  as  a  'un- 
dred  puns  a  week,  and  my  mates  as  much  more.  O  Lord,  the  fortunes  vot 
ve  has  squandered.  Three  times  J  'as  'ad  all  the  money  vot  I  vanted,  and 
three  times  it  'as  gone.  Ve  used  to  jist  go  to  a  store,  and  clean  it  hout,  and 
then  pay  for  heverything  vot  ve  smashed.  Did  yer  notice  the  '  Digger's  Rest ' 
place,  jist  to  the  right  of  us  ?  Vel,  sir,  me  and  my  mates  'as  jist  gone  up 
there  of  a  hevenin',  taken  all  the  champagne  vot  the  cove  'ad  on  'and,  and 
then  set  the  bottles  up,  make  believe  they  was  ten-pins,  and  ve  vould  throw 
bottle  arter  bottle  at  'em,  and  smash  'em  to  the  right  and  left,  and  the  min- 
er vot  did  the  most  damage  vos  the  best  feller.  I  'd  like  some  of  that  vine 
now,  sir,  to  treat  yer  vith,  and  some  of  the  money,  too,  vot  the  sport  cost 
me." 

He  reached  out  his  hand  for  more  tobacco,  and  then  left  me,  after  bor- 
rowing a  shilling  until  the  next  day.  He  did  not  return  the  money,  but 
was  a  frequent  visitor  to  my  quarters  after  that  introduction.  But  his 
story,  as  I  afterward  learned,  was  true.  He  had  been  just  so  extravagant. 

After  the  old  miner  had  left  me,  I  sat  all  alone,  and  smoked  my  pipe,  and 
so  the  evening  passed  away,  and  was  thinking  of  retiring  for  the  night,  when 
some  one  knocked  very  lightly  at  the  door.  Wondering  who  my  caller  was, 
I  got  up  and  opened  the  door,  and  saw  a  woman  standing  before  me,  in  the 
dark,  with  a  shawl  and  veil  on  shoulders  and  face.  She  did  not  speak,  but 
stood  there  looking  at  me  very  attentively. 

"  Have  you  made  a  mistake  in  the  place  ?  "  I  asked,  as  I  raised  the  can- 
dle, so  that  I  could  get  a  view  of  my  visitor's  face,  and  wondered  if  it  was 
young  and  handsome. 

"  No,  Angus,  I  'as  made  no  mistake,"  was  the  reply,  and,  to  my  surprise, 
the  veil  was  brushed  aside,  and  I  saw  before  me  the  pretty  face  of  Miss  Kit- 
ty Stukely. 

I  started  back,  and  could  only  look  at  the  girl,  and  wonder  what  sent  her 
to  Ballarat,  and  what  evil  genius  had  brought  her  to  my  shanty,  the  very 
person  whom  I  did  not  wish  to  see,  situated  as  I  was,  with  the  suspicious 
Chief  of  Police  likely  to  drop  in  on  me  at  any  time,  and  to  accuse  me  of 
breaking  my  word. 

"  Yer  do  not  treat  me,  Angus,  as  though  yer  vere  glad  to  see  me,':  said 
the  girl.  "  Yer  do  not  even  ask  me  to  enter  yer  'ouse,  yet  I  'ave  come  many 
miles  at  yer  request." 

"  My  request,  Kitty  ?  Surely  you  have  made  a  mistake.  I  sent  you  no 
request,"  I  cried. 

'3 


1 94  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  Vill  yer  let  me  enter  the  'ouse  ? "  she  asked,  "  and  I  '11  soon  prove  that 
yer  sent  for  me,  or  I  should  not  'ave  dared  come." 

I  motioned  for  her  to  enter,  and  she  came  in,  and  threw  off  her  shawl,  and 
sank  down  on  a  chair  with  a  weary  sigh.  She  looked  tired  and  distressed, 
and  I  felt  a  pang  of  pity  for  her  unfortunate  condition. 

"  I  vould  not  'ave  come,  Angus,"  she  said,  "  if  yer  'ad  not  sent  for  me  to 
meet  yer.  But  now  that  yer  did  vrite  for  me  to  come,  I  hexpected  that  yer 
vould  be  glad  to  see  me." 

"  Kitty,  my  poor  girl,"  I  cried,  "  I  did  not  send  for  you.  1  never  saw 
you  until  the  evening  I  called  with  the  Chief  of  Police.  There  is  some 
strange  mistake  in  the  matter." 

"  There  ha'n't  no  mistake  in  the  matter  at  all,"  she  replied,  while  a  tear 
trickled  down  her  face,  and  she  could  only  keep  back  her  sobs  by  a  power- 
ful effort. 

She  put  her  hand  in  her  bosom,  and  took  out  a  letter,  stained  and  frayed. 

"  Read  that,"  she  said,  "  and  see  if  I  'as  made  a  mistake." 

I  read  the  note,  — a  few  lines  asking  her  to  meet  her  dear  friend  Angus 
at  Webber's  as  soon  as  possible.  It  was  dated  four  days  before,  and  ! 
must  confess  that  the  writing  closely  resembled  mine,  so  much  so  that  un- 
less I  had  known  most  positively  that  I  had  not  written  it,  I  should  have 
supposed  that  I  was  the  author. 

"  Veil  ?  "  she  asked,  after  a  long  pause. 

"  Kitty,  I  did  not  write  this  note.  Some  person  who  resembles  me  did, 
but  I  am  not  the  one." 

"  You  are  married,  Angus  ?  "  she  asked  in  a  low  tone,  and  with  a  gasp. 

"  Yes,  Kitty,  I  am  married." 

"  And  yer  fled  from  yer  vife  the  wery  night  yer  vos  vedded  ?  "  she  con- 
tinued. 

"  That  is  a  matter  I  do  not  wish  to  discuss  with  you,  Kitty." 

"  Vos  it  because  of  me,  Angus  ? " 

"  It  had  nothing  to  do  with  you,  Kitty." 

"  Vos  it  'cos  yer  loved  me  better  than  yer  vife  ?  Hanswer  me  that. 
Angus." 

I  felt  a  thrill  of  indignation  at  the  question,  and  was  about  to  express  it, 
when  I  saw  that  the  girl  was  sincere  in  putting  the  interrogation,  for  her 
eyes  were  filled  with  tears,  and  her  pretty  face  was  troubled. 

"  Kitty,  I  love  my  dear  little  wife  with  all  my  heart,  and  all  my  soul,  and 
be  assured  that  I  do  not  love  you,  that  I  never  have  loved  you,  and  never 
can." 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  195 

She  uttered  a  faint  cry,  and  a  bitter  sob,  and  fell  into  a  chair,  and  laid  her 
fair  head  on  the  table.  I  waited  for  her  to  recover  her  composure,  but  made 
no  attempts  to  console  her  for  my  blunt,  plain  words.  At  last  she  raised 
her  face,  and,  although  she  showed  how  much  she  suffered,  said,  — 

"  Yer  leaves  yer  vife  on  the  night  of  yer  veddin',  yer  sends  me  a  letter  to 
meet  yer  at  Vebber's,  and  yet  yer  say  yer  don't  love  me.  I  don't  hunder- 
stand  it.  Can  yer  hexplain  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Kitty.  I  am  not  the  person  who  has  made  love  to  you.  It  is 
somebody  who  resembles  me,  but  I  am  not  the  man.  Of  that  be  most  thor- 
oughly assured." 

"  And  yer  hexpects  me  to  believe  hall  that  ? "  she  demanded,  in  an  in- 
dignant tone. 

"  Yes,  Kitty,  I  expect  that  you  will,  because  you  are  a  sensible  little 
girl,  and  know  that  I  would  not  deceive  you." 

She  gave  a  sniff  of  scorn,  and  tossed  her  head.  She  was  not  convinced 
by  my  words,  I  could  see  that  very  plainly. 

"  Angus,"  she  said,  trying  to  speak  calm  and  firm,  although  it  was  with 
an  effort,  "  1  met  Mr.  Murden,  the  Chief  of  Police,  the  night  yer  was  mar- 
ried. 'E  told  me  that  yer  vos  vedded,  and  'e  'inted  that  yer  might  come 
and  seek  me,  and  that  if  yer  should  I  was  to  refuse  to  see  yer,  and  he  made 
some  strong  remarks  in  case  I  did.  I  promised  that  I  vould  not  let  yer 
'ave  a  hinterview  vid  me  if  yer  come  to  my  'ouse  that  night,  and  'e  vent 
avay  satisfied  that  I  vould  keep  my  vord.  I  vos  wery  unhappy,  until  the 
next  mornin'  ven  I  sees  by  the  paper  that  yer  had  cut  and  run  for  it,  and 
left  yer  vife  in  the  lurch.  I  felt  quite  'appy  ven  I  reads  hall  that,  and  I  vos 
still  more  pleased  ven  I  gets  this  letter  from  yer  to  come  to  Vebber's.  I 
'as  but  little  money,  Angus,  but  I  knows  that  a  great  swell  like  yer  vill  'ave 
enough  for  me  ven  I  sees  yer,  so  I  takes  the  mail  coach,  jist  as  soon  as  I 
could,  and  starts,  and  ven  I  gets  to  Vebber's  a  bold,  flat-faced  Dutch  girl 
says  that  yer  is  'ers,  and  that  I  'as  no  business  to  go  around  the  country 
a  lookin'  for  men,  and  she  vould  n't  'ave  me  in  the  'ouse,  but  I  learns  that 
yer  'as  gone  on  to  Ballarat,  vid  a  man  named  Mike,  and  I  follows  in  the 
next  coach,  and  ven  I  gets  'ere  I  axed  and  axed,  and  at  last  I  finds  yer,  and 
'ere  I  am,  Angus." 

"  And  here  you  must  not  remain,  Kitty.  No  money  could  induce  me  to 
give  you  shelter  for  even  one  night.  You  must  go,"  and  I  spoke  firmly. 

"  Leave  yer?  "  she  asked,  in  tones  a  little  louder  than  necessary. 

«  Yes,  Kitty." 

"  But  yer  sent  for  me,  yer  know." 


196  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  No,  Kitty,  I  did  not  send  for  you.  I  have  told  you  that  I  did  not  sever 
al  times,  and  you  will  not  believe  me." 

She  uttered  a  wail,  and  wrung  her  hands.  I  dreaded  a  scene,  but  now 
that  one  must  come  prepared  for  it. 

"  Angus,"  she  cried,  falling  on  her  knees,  and  clasping  my  hands,  "  do 
'ave  pity  on  me,  do  love  me  a  little.  Please  not  send  me  avay  from  yer, 
Let  me  stay  'ere,  and  be  vith  yer.  I  vill  vait  upon  yer,  do  yer  'ousework. 
take  care  of  yer  if  yer  is  sick,  and  love  yer  hall  the  time,  and  never  be  un, 
'appy  if  yer  vill  but  smile  on  me.  I  knows  that  I  am  a  poor  girl,  and  a'n't 
vorth  the  love  of  a  swell  like  yer,  but  yer  von't  never  find  no  one  vot  loves 
yer  like  me.  Don't  turn  me  avay  from  yer,  Angus.  I  'm  poor,  and  I  'as 
not  dosh  enough  to  takes  me  back  to  Melbourne,  unless  I  valks,  and  that 
vould  not  be  safe  for  me  ven  so  many  bushrangers  is  round.  They  vould 
not  respect  me,  if  they  should  meet  me  in  the  road.  Let  me  kiss  yer  'and, 
Angus,  and  bless  yer  for  being  kind  to  the  un'appy  girl  vot  did  not  love  no 
one  till  she  met  yer  at  Jobber's  free-and-heasy.  Yer  knows  the  night,  don't 
yer,  Angus  ?  I  did  not  hexpect  a  swell  like  vot  yer  vos  to  take  notice  of 
me,  and  ven  yer  did,  I  thinks  that  life  vos  more  pleasant  for  me,  and  that 
the  sun  shone  brighter,  the  flowers  looked  sweeter,  and  that  hevery  one  vos 
more  'appy.  Yer  taught  me  to  love  yer,  and  now  let  me  teach  yer  'ow  to 
love  me.  I  'm  a  poor  girl,  Angus,  but  I  is  rich  in  'avin'  a  varm  'eart,  and  its 
varmth  is  hall  for  yer." 

She  held  my  hands,  and  kissed  them  in  the  most  tender  manner,  and  I 
could  not  release  them  without  exerting  all  of  my  strength,  and,  as  soon  as 
I  did  succeed,  she  clasped  my  knees,  and  held  me  fast,  so  that  I  could  not 
break  away  from  her  firm  embrace. 

What  to  do  I  did  not  know,  yet  I  was  just  as  firm  in  denying  all  knowl- 
edge of  the  girl,  as  when  she  first  entered  the  hut.  I  would  not  yield,  be 
the  temptation  what  it  might.  I  had  a  wife,  a  dear  little  wife,  and  as  long 
as  the  union  was  undissolved  I  would  revere  her,  and  be  worthy  of  her, 
even  if  she  repudiated  me,  and  did  not  respect  me.  I  loved  her,  and  it  was 
useless  to  attempt  to  supplant  that  love  while  her  face  was  ever  before  me, 
glorious  in  its  beauty  and  innocence.  Yet  here  was  a  poor  girl,  kneeling 
at  my  feet,  and  begging  for  a  word  and  smile,  simply  to  make  her  happy.  It 
was  hard,  but  I  had  to  be  firm,  and  do  what  few  men  of  my  age  would  have 
done.  It  made  my  heart  bleed,  but  the  sacrifice  had  to  be  made,  and  the 
quicker  the  better. 

"  Kitty,"  I  said,  as  sternly  as  I  could. 

"  No,  no,  do  not  speak  to  me  in  that  tone,"  she  cried.     "  I  can't  endure 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  19; 

it.  Be  kind  to  poor  Kitty,  and  remember  that  she  'as  traveled  night  and 
day  to  join  yer,  thinkin'  of  yer  love  and  yer  'appiness.  Let  me  rest  at  yer 
ieet  until  I  am  assured  yer  vill  take  me  to  yer  'eart." 

"  Kitty,  you  poor  child,"  I  cried,  as  I  laid  my  hand  on  her  head,  and  put 
an  arm  around  her  waist,  lifting  her  to  a  chair,  "you  must  be  calm,  and  lis- 
ten to  me  as  attentively  as  you  can.  I  am  not  the  person  who  made  love  to 
you  simply  to  occupy  a  leisure  hour.  Be  assured  of  that.  I  am  a  poor 
man,  have  come  here  to  seek  my  fortune,  and  hope  to  find  it  in  time.  If  I 
was  the  person  you  suppose,  do  you  think  I  would  be  in  this  miserable  hut, 
wearing  these  rough  clothes,  and  prepared  to  search  for  gold  in  mud  and 
water  ?  It  is  absurd,  and  your  good  sense  should  teach  you  different.  There 
is  a  man  who  is  said  to  resemble  me,  and  he  is  called  an  earl,  and  very  rich. 
He  has  caused  all  this  trouble,  and  all  your  unhappiness  and  mine.  He  is 
young  and  thoughtless,  and  thinks  it  sport  to  play  with  a  woman's  heart.  I 
do  not,  Kitty,  and  you  should  see  the  difference  between  us  without  this 
long  explanation.  Trust  me,  Kitty,  and  be  assured  that  I  speak  the  truth. 
Come,  be  a  good  little  girl,  and  clear  your  eyes  of  tears,  and  then  smile  once 
more." 

"  And  vill  yer  love  me  ?  "  she  asked,  looking  up,  hope  once  more  beam- 
ing on  her  bright  face. 

She  did  not  believe  a  word  that  I  said.  I  could  see  it  in  her  eyes.  She 
thought  I  was  lying  to  her. 

"  Do  not  talk  of  love  to  me,  Kitty,"  I  said.  "  Let  me  be  a  friend  to  you, 
one  who  will  advise  you,  and  be  kind  to  you,  but  not  a  lover.  Do  not 
speak  of  love." 

"  I  don't  care  vot  yer  calls  it,  if  yer  vill  only  love  me,"  she  answered,  and 
I  sighed  to  think  what  little  progress  I  was  making  in  trying  to  set  things 
right.  Every  instant  I  expected  the  two  Chinamen  back,  and  Mike  might 
arrive  at  any  moment.  How  could  I  explain  to  them  the  presence  of  the 
girl  ?  She  must  leave  the.  hut,  and  I  would  find  her  comfortable  quarters 
until  the  next  day,  and  then  ship  her  home  by  the  mail  carriage,  which 
made  the  run  between  Melbourne  and  Ballarat  in  ten  or  fifteen  hours,  ac- 
cording to  the  condition  of  the  roads,  and  darkness  of  the  nights,  and  will 
of  bushrangers. 

"  Kitty,  you  can't  remain  here  tonight,"  I  said.  "  You  must  be  under  the 
protection  of  a  good  woman,  who  will  take  care  of  you,  see  that  you  have 
some  supper,  and  a  good  night's  rest.  I  will  furnish  you  with  the  money  to 
return  to  the  city,  and  pay  all  your  expenses  here.  This  is  the  best  that  I 
can  do  for  you,  poor  child,  but  do  not  talk  to  me  of  love,  for  I  swear  to  you 


198  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

that  you  can  have  no  place  in  my  heart.  My  wife  alone  occupies  it,  and 
ever  will." 

She  uttered  a  loud  wail,  and  shed  more  tears,  and  begged,  but  I  was  firm, 
and  at  last  got  her  calmed  down  until  she  agreed  to  go  with  me  to  the  board- 
ing-house, and  remain  all  night,  under  the  protection  of  Mother  Higgins,  as 
the  boys  called  the  old  English  lady  who  carried  on  the  establishment. 

We  set  out,  Kitty  half-crying  and  half-begging  me  to  once  more  take  her 
into  favor.  It  was  eight  o'clock  when  we  reached  the  house,  and  I  took 
Mother  Higgins  aside,  and  asked  her  as  a  favor  to  me  to  give  shelter  to 
Kitty,  and  to  see  that  all  her  wants  were  supplied,  and  to  look  to  me  for 
payment  of  her  bills. 

Mother  Higgins  sniffed,  as  though  she  smelled  something  disagreeable, 
and  then  she  looked  at  me,  and  sniffed  some  more,  and  glanced  at  Kitty, 
and  sniffed  louder  than  ever. 

"  I  know  what  you  suspect,"  I  said  ;  "  but  I  swear  to  you  that  your  sus- 
picions are  unjust  and  cruel.  Would  I  be  likely  to  come  to  a  lady  like  you 
if  there  was  wrong?  This  poor  girl  has  made  a  sad  mistake  in  coming  here 
in  search  of  a  lover.  She  has  not  found  him,  and  is  in  distress.  Will  you 
not  let  your  big,  motherly  heart  expand  for  one  unfortunate  ?  " 

She  sniffed  worse  than  ever,  but  finally  consented  to  take  charge  of  Kitty 
for  the  night,  and  give  her  a  shake-down  in  her  own  room,  and  would  also 
get  her  a  good  supper,  and  a  cup  of  tea.  This  was  all  that  I  could  expect, 
and  I  thanked  the  old  lady  for  her  kindness. 

"  Humph,"  cried  Mother  Higgins,  as  she  rubbed  her  nose  with  a  bit  of 
tallow  from  the  candle  she  held  in  her  hand,  and  looked  at  me,  and  then  at 
Kitty,  in  wondering  surprise,  "  I  've  been  married  three  times,  and  am  now  a 
widow  woman,  and  open  to  a  good  offer,  and  1  '11  say  this,  that  you  are  the 
most  wonderful  man  I  ever  saw,  or  you  are  the  biggest  hypocrite.  I  don't 
know  which,  but  time  will  tell." 

"  I  hope  that  time  will  convince  you  that  I  am  just  what  I  seem,  an  hon- 
est young  man,  of  moral  and  religious  character,"  I  replied. 

I  thought  that  would  have  some  effect  on  her,  just  as  I  had  tried  it  on  my 
wife,  but  Mother  Higgins  only  snorted  harder  than  ever,  and  told  me  not  to 
give  her  "  sour  beer,"  or  any  more  of  my  gab,  for  she  really  believed  I  was 
as  big  a  devil  as  any  of  'em,  and  none  of  'em  were  any  too  good  for  this 
world.  5'ie  knew:  she  had  tried  three  men,  and  she  doubted  if  either  was 
in  heaven,  or  likely  to  get  there.  Most  of  them,  when  alive,  cared  more  for 
swipes  tran  they  did  for  her,  and,  in  fact,  she  rather  hated  men,  after  all, 
only  she  really  had  rather  have  twenty  men  boarders  than  one  woman,  as 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


the  latter  were  always  grunting  and  groaning  about  the  house,  and  turning 
up  their  ridiculous  noses  at  the  grub,  and  wanting  to  wash  in  the  kitchen  at 
all  hours,  and  to  put  on  irons  just  at  the  most  inconvenient  moment.  In 
fact,  she  did  not  care  for  the  whole  human  race,  man  or  woman,  and  thought 
the  world  would  be  better  off  without  either.  But  still  the  old  lady  patted 
me  on  the  shoulder,  and  said  I  was  a  good  boy,  and  she  would  be  a  mother 
to  me  as  long  as  I  was  in  the  mines  ;  that  I  must  be  careful  and  not  make 
love  to  every  girl  I  met,  for  I  had  such  a  look  as  would  induce  the  fools  to 
think  I  was  in  earnest. 

^  Good-by,  Kitty,"  I  said,  when  ready  to  go.  "  I  hope  you  will  have  a 
good  night's  rest.  I  will  see  you  in  the  morning,  and  arrange  about  your 
passage  to  Melbourne," 

"  Good-night,  Angus,  and  God  bless  yer.  I  believe  that  yer  means  veil 
by  me.'' 

She  gave  me  her  hand,  and  put  up  her  lips  for  a  kiss.  Mother  Higgins 
sniffed,  and  turned  her  head.  I  kissed  the  girl,  and  left  the  house,  and,  as  I 
was  leaving,  I  thought  that  I  heard  the  old  lady  mutter,  in  a  doubting 
tone,  — 

"  Humph  !  Moral  and  religious  character  is  he.  Well,  they  all  like  to 
kiss  the  girls  if  they  do  put  on  high-peaked  airs." 

The  Chinamen  had  not  arrived  at  the  shanty  when  I  returned,  so  I  light 
ed  my  pipe,  and  sat  down  and  had  a  smoke,  and  when  Gin  and  his  friend 
did  come  back  it  was  nine  o'clock,  and  time  to  turn  in  ;  but  I  was  not  sleepy 
after  the  adventures  of  the  evening,  and  once  more  I  took  up  the  Boome- 
rang, and  read  the  account  of  the  wedding,  and  the  report  of  my  escape 
from  the  matrimonial  bonds,  and  there  was  no  chance  for  me  to  write  to  the 
truthful  journal,  and  set  the  editor  right  as  to  my  motives  for  leaving  so 
suddenly,  and  I  could  not  even  send  a  line  to  Florence,  and  deny  the  mon- 
strous story  that  the  chamber-maid  had  told,  and  I  blamed  myself  for  doing 
as  I  had  done,  and  promised  to  be  more  careful  in  the  future,  if  I  had  a 
chance  to  meet  a  smiling  little  girl  at  the  head  of  a  pair  of  stairs. 

"  Alle  Chinaman  saye  disc  noie  goode  minie,"  Gin  remarked,  as  he  re- 
moved his  heavy,  wooden-soled  shoes,  and  kicked  his  countryman  for  mak- 
ing so  much  noise  when  he  knocked  over  a  chair. 

"  I  have  heard  the  same  thing  before,  Gin,"  I  remarked,  a  little  impa- 
tiently. 

"  Stille,  onee  verie  wisee  Chinaman  saye  hee  dinke  somie  golde  rounde 
herie.  Hee  saye  diggie,  and  seeie  whate  youe  shalle  seeie.  Berrie  wisie 
manie  datie  Chinaman.  He  clrmkie  morie  teae,  and  seeie  morie  thingies, 


200  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

thane  any  manie  meie  ebber  seeie,"  and  Gin  went  to  bed  with  his  compan- 
ion. 

I  had  put  out  the  light,  and  was  just  dropping  off  to  sleep,  when  a  loud 
rap  at  the  door  started  me. 

"  Gin,  get  up,  and  see  what  is  wanted,"  I  said. 

"  Noie  meie  goe  therie.     bushrangie  arter  Gin  Sling." 

With  a  muttered  anathema  on  the  courage  of  the  Chinaman,  I  got  up, 
lighted  a  candle,  took  my  revolver,  and  went  to  the  door. 

"  Who  is  there  ?  "  I  demanded,  in  a  stern  tone. 

"  Open  in  the  name  of  the  law,"  was  the  reply,  and,  throwing  back  the 
bolt,  I  opened-  the  door,  and  in  stalked  Mr.  Murden,  Chief  of  the  Melbourne 
Police,  booted  and  spurred,  and  covered  with  dust  and  perspiration,  as 
though  just  from  a  long  ride  over  the  dry  roads  and  trails,  and  the  look  he 
gave  me  as  he  entered  was  not  a  pleasant  one,  for  I  expected  trouble,  and 
found  that  it  had  come  upon  me  before  I  was  ready  for  it. 


:  IS  IT  A  YANKA   TRICK  YER  SPAKE  OF,   BUYS?"  CRIED  A   FAMILIAR  VOICE. 


PART   IX. 

MR.    MURDEN    EXPRESSES    HIS    OPINION    QUITE   FREELY.  —  KITTY'S    DISAP- 
PEARANCE. —  THE    NUGGETS     OF    GOLD,     AND    HOW    MUCH    THEY 
WERE   WORTH.  —  A   SALE   OF   THE    MINE.  —  MY  WIFE  AND 
HER    FATHER,    AND    HOW   THEY   WENT   AWAY.  — 
A  SCHEME  TO  CAPTURE  FLORENCE   AND 
HER  FATHER  BY  BUSHRANGERS. 
MIKE  WANTS  TO  FIGHT 
SOME    ONE. 

THE  Chief  of  Police  of  Melbourne  did  not  wait  for  an  invitation  to  enter 
my  humble  quarters.  He  stalked  in  as  though  he  had  a  right  to  come 
and  go  where  he  pleased,  arid  at  all  hours  of  the  day  and  night.  As  the 
door  opened  I  caught  a  glimpse  of  two  mounted  officers,  and  that  one  of 
them  held  the  horse  that  the  Chief  had  just  dismounted  from,  covered  with 
foam  and  dust,  like  its  rider.  Mr.  Murden  raised  his  cap  as  he  entered, 
and  looked  at  me  in  a  curious  way,  as  though  rather  puzzled  to  see  me  in 


202  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

my  rough,  miner's  garb,  for  1  had  not  removed  my  clothes  when  lying  down, 
and  the  two  Chinamen,  who  dreaded  the  sight  of  a  trap's  uniform  as  they 
did  a  boy  with  a  live  rat  tied  by  its  tail,  sat  up  on  their  mattresses,  and  turn- 
ed more  sallow  than  ever  from  fright,  for  they  feared  imprisonment,  and 
punishment,  for  some  former  invasion  of  the  mining  tax,  which  they  hoped 
had  been  forgotten  by  the  police. 

The  Chief  stared  at  me  long  and  minutely,  and  I  returned  his  fixed  glance 
without  flinching  or  speaking.  At  length  he  said,  — 

"  We  have  met  again,  my  lord." 

"  So  it  seems.  To  what  am  I  indebted  for  this  unseasonable  visit  ? "  I 
demanded. 

"  Can  you  ask,  my  lord  ?  " 

"  Yes,  and  very  emphatically,"  I  said. 

"  Do  you  remember  our  last  meeting,  my  lord  ?  Think  for  a  moment  be- 
fore you  speak." 

"I  do.  It  was  an  unhappy  one  for  me,  and  I  hoped  never  to  have  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  your  face  again." 

"You  are  complimentary,  my  lord,"  with  a  short,  sneering  laugh. 

"  I  do  not  mean  to  be.  I  speak  just  as  I  feel.  You  promised  to  no  lon- 
ger molest  me,  and  yet  I  see  that  you  have  followed  my  trail,  and  run  me 
down,  for  what  purpose  I  know  not." 

"  You  shall  soon  be  enlightened.  You  must  return  with  me  to  Melbourne, 
and  to  the  countess,  your  lawful  wife." 

"  Did  she  send  you  to  arrest  me,  and  drag  me  into  her  presence  ?  "  I  ask- 
ed, and  for  a  moment  I  trembled,  and  felt  a  little  faint,  at  the  anticipation 
of  meeting  her. 

"  She  desires  to  see  you,"  was  the  short  answer.  "  A  reward  is  offered 
for  your  return.  Did  you  know  it  ?  " 

"  So  I  have  heard.  You  naturally  wish  to  earn  the  reward,"  I  said,  in  a 
bantering  tone. 

A  dark  flush  showed  itself  on  the  Chief's  face,  but  he  could  command  his 
temper,  and  did. 

"  I  have  no  desire  for  the  reward,  but  I  wish  to  make  an  unhappy  lady 
happy,  if  it  is  in  my  power  to  do  so.  My  lord,  you  will  return  with  me." 

"  I  shall  not  do  so  unless  you  have  a  letter  from  the  lady  saying  that  she 
forgives  my  deception,  and  desires  to  see  me.  Have  you  such  a  letter?  " 

"  No,  my  lord,  I  have  not,"  was  the  prompt  response. 

"  I  did  not  suppose  that  you  had.'' 

"  Nevertheless,  my  lord,  I   trust  that  you  will  go  with  me.     You  have 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  203 


caused  much  distress  in  a  good  family,  and  now  you  should  make  all  the 
reparation  in  your  power.  That  can  be  done  by  returning  with  me  without 
delay.- 

"  And  you  still  think,  wise  Chief  that  you  are,  that  I  am  the  Earl  of 
Afton  ? ','  I  asked,  in  a  bantering  tone. 

"  My  lord,  I  know  that  you  are.  I  have  followed  you  foot  by  foot  all  the 
way  from  Melbourne  here.  I  kept  just  in  the  rear  of  the  girl  you  wrote  to, 
asking  her  to  join  you  at  Webber's.  You  were  suspicious  that  I  would  be 
on  your  trail,  and  sent  word  to  Kitty,  by  an  old  Quaker,  that  you  would  meet 
her  near  Ballarat,  on  the  road,  somewhere  between  this  place  and  the  cross- 
roads. I  thought  it  was  a  blind,  and  did  not  fall  into  what  I  supposed  was 
a  trap.  At  Webber's  I  had  learned  two  things,  —  that  you  had  been  seen 
talking  with  two  suspicious  persons,  and  then  I  also  learned  from  Web- 
ber's daughter  that  you  had  arrived  at  her  father's  in  company  with  an 
Irishman,  a  fellow  called  Mike,  whose  ticket-of-leave  has  just  expired.  I 
got  information  that  you  had  made  love  to  Katrine.  Nay,  man,  don't  frown 
at  me  in  that  manner.  It  is  true,  and  you  know  it.  I  am  aware  of  all  that 
has  transpired  since  you  left  the  city.  I  trailed  you  to  the  cross-roads,  and 
then  lost  sight  of  you,  but  I  suspected  that  you  had  gone  to  your  father-in- 
law's  sheep  run.  where  Mike  has  charge.  I  paid  it  a  visit  in  the  night  time, 
for  I  did  not  desire  to  give  you  warning.  I  found  Mike,  but  he  was  closer 
than  the  bark  of  a  she-oak-tree,  and  pretended  to  know  nothing  about  you, 
except  that  he  had  given  a  lift  to  a  poor  young  fellow,  who  had  left  him  on 
the  road,  and  gone  he  knew  not  where,  but  he  thought  to  some  sheep  sta- 
tion, to  find  work,  but  in  what  location  he  could  not  imagine.  You  are  pay- 
ing strict  attention  to  all  that  I  say,  my  lord?  " 

"  Oh,  yes.  It  interests  me  to  see  what  an  immense  amount  of  trouble 
you  have  taken  to  earn  that  hundred  pounds.  I  would  have  given  you  more 
to  let  me  alone,  and  let  my  name  die,  and  be  forgotten,  as  I  hope  it  will  af- 
ter a  while." 

"  All  that  will  happen  in  good  time,  my  lord,  if  you  continue  your  present 
disgraceful  career.  I  am  not  working  this  thing  for  money,  but  for  fame. 
I  would  not  accept  a  penny  for  what  I  have  done,  but  I  will  receive  a  grate- 
ful woman's  thanks  for  saving  her  husband  from  numerous  follies,  such  as 
he  is  old  enough  to  avoid.  I  am  responsible  for  your  marriage,  and,  as  I 
am  thus  responsible,  I  mean  to  hold  on  to  you  by  the  powerful  arm  of  the 
law  until  you  cease  to  play  the  madman,  and  make  Irishmen,  miners,  and 
stockmen's  daughters  the  objects  of  your  idle  life.  When  this  is  done  we 
will  separate,  and  not  until  then." 


2O4  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  Go  on,"  I  said.  "  I  feel  quite  interested  in  your  struggles  for  my  wel- 
fare. Have  you  more  to  say  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  the  Chief  cried,  in  a  burst  of  passion.  "  In  spite  of  being  baffled 
and  misled,  I  followed,  and  traced  Kitty  to  this  shanty,  and  here  she  is. 
My  lord,  you  promised  me  most  faithfully  never  to  see  that  girl  again. 
Have  you  kept  your  word  ?  Answer  me  that. " 

"  Yes,  as  far  as  was  in  my  power,"  I  replied. 

"Then  why  did  you  write  to  her,  and  ask  for  an  appointment?"  the 
Chief  demanded. 

"  I  did  not  write  to  her,  and  did  not  ask  for  an  appointment,"  I  said, 
boldly  and  calmly. 

"  My  lord,  you  should  weigh  well  your  words.  The  letter  Kitty  received 
I  read  before  it  reached  her  hands." 

"  Then  you  tampered  with  her  correspondence,  and  opened  a  letter  in  an 
unlawful  manner.  It  should  cost  you  your  commission,  Mr.  Chief." 

"  I  run  my  risk  for  the  sake  of  the  public  good.  I  suspected  that  I  could 
find  you  through  the  girl.  My  surmises  were  correct.  I  watched  for  let- 
ters, and  found  the  one  you  sent  to  her.  It  was  unmanly,  my  lord,  and  is 
not  to  your  credit,  after  your  pledges." 

ft  Mr.  Murden,"  I  said,  as  calmly  as  I  could,  "  the  girl  has  made  the  same 
mistake  that  you  have.  She  sought  me,  I  did  not  seek  her.  She  has  been 
here  this  evening,  and  I  need  not  tell  you  that  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart 
I  pity  her,  and  would  help  her  in  her  hour  of  trouble,  if  I  could  do  so  in  a 
manly  manner." 

"  She  is  with  you,  and  you  must  give  her  up,"  was  the  stern  command  of 
the  Chief.  "  I  shall  take  her  from  you." 

"  She  is  not  with  me,  but  under  the  protection  of  a  Mrs.  Higgins,  a  good 
and  kind  woman,  who  keeps  a  boarding-house  in  this  place." 

The  Chief  nodded,  and  then  glanced  around  the  room,  as  though  expect- 
ing to  see  Kitty. 

"  I  know  whom  you  mean.  She  is  a  good-hearted  woman.  But  you  will 
permit  me  to  search  your  room.  I  wish  to  be  positive,  my  lord,  that  Kitty 
is  not  here." 

The  Chief  took  the  candle,  and  with  a  motion  of  his  booted  and  spurred 
foot  indicated  to  the  Chinamen  that  they  must  get  up.  They  responded 
with  alacrity  to  the  command,  for  they  knew  that  if  they  did  not  a  kick  would 
hasten  their  movements. 

"  Lift  up  that  mattress,"  Mr.  Murden  said  to  the  Chinamen,  in  a  harsh 
tone. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  205 

Gin  Sling  obeyed,  but  I  am  sure  that  he  said  something  wicked  in  his 
native  tongue,  for  he  did  not  dare  to  swear  in  English  to  the  officer. 

The  Chief  examined  the  floor  long  and  earnestly.  He  suspected  a  trap 
in  the  badly  fitted  boards,  and  that  I  had  concealed  the  girl  beneath  them. 
He  went  over  the  walls,  and  then,  feeling  satisfied,  put  the  candle  on  the  ta- 
ble, and  looked  at  me  a  little  puzzled. 

"  Are  you  satisfied  ?  "   I  asked,  for  I  had  remained  standing  all  this  time. 

"  Yes,  that  the  girl  is  not  here." 

"  I  have  convinced  you  that  1  spoke  the  truth.  Now  let  me  further  prove 
to  you  that  I  am  not  the  person  you  think  I  am,"  I  said. 

"You  will  have  a  nice  time  to  do  that,  my  lord,"  with  a  grin  that  was 
very  provoking.  "  Did  you,  or  did  you  not,  marry  Miss  Kebblewhite  ?" 

"  I  did  marry  the  ladv.  I  do  not  deny  it,  and  very  proud  I  should  be  of 
the  fact  under  other  circumstances." 

The  Chief  shrugged  his  broad  shoulders,  and  smiled. 

"  Go  on,"  he  said. 

"  Do  you  think  that  if  I  was  a  lord,  and  had  all  the  money  that  a  lord  is 
supposed  to  possess,  that  I  would  be  here,  in  a  miner's  costume,  and  con- 
sorting with  Chinamen?"  I  demanded. 

"  Noblemen  have  queer  freaks.  You  are  not  the  first  who  has  led  a  wan- 
dering life,  and  associated  with  the  scum  of  the  earth,"  motioning  to  the  two 
Chinamen,  who  were  listening  with  wonder  depicted  on  their  yellow  faces, 
yet  did  not  dare  to  move  or  speak. 

"  I  have  heard  of  such  insane  freaks ;  but  did  you  ever  know  a  noble 
lord  to  write  to  a  young  girl  for  an  appointment,  and  when  she  came  put  her 
under  the  care  of  an  honest  woman,  so  that  she  could  be  returned  to  her 
friends  in  the  morning  ?  "  1  demanded. 

The  Chief  thought  of  the  question  a  few  seconds  before  he  asked,  — 

"  You  have  done  all  that,  my  lord  I  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  have  done  all  that,  and  have  nothing  to  feel  ashamed  of  as  far 
as  that  young  girl  is  concerned." 

"  I  don't  think  that  I  ever  heard  of  a  nobleman  acting  as  you  say  you 
have  done  unless  insane,  and  blank  me  if  I  don't  believe  that  you  are,"  was 
the  blunt  exclamation. 

"  No,  Mr.  Murden,  I  am  not  insane,  but  I  am  honest,  and  try  to  be  good. 
Of  that  be  assured." 

"  Oh,  stock  it,"  was  the  reply,  as  though  such  words  grated  on  his  ears. 
*'  Don't  preach,  my  lord,  or  I  swear  I  shall  suspect  you  of  worse  crimes 
than  those  which  you  are  supposed  to  have  committed.  Whenever  I  hear 


206  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


a  man  prating  of  his  goodness  and  virtue,  I  always  tell  my  officers  to  watch 
the  fellow,  and  see  what  lay  he  is  on.  As  a  man  of  the  world  you  have  no 
occasion  to  act  a  part.  Be  natural  as  you  can." 

"  I  am  not  acting  a  part,  Mr.  Murclen,  but  I  am  trying  to  render  myself 
worthy  the  wife  I  have  deserted." 

"  Well,  my  lord,  don't  play  it  too  fine,  for,  as  a  general  thing,  I  don't  be- 
lieve that  wives  want  perfect  husbands.  One  who  can  lie  a  little,  just 
enough  to  cast  a  shade  of  doubt  on  his  lodge-night  operations,  is  the  man 
who  is  worshiped  in  domestic  circles,  not  the  one  who  reads  prayers  three 
times  a  day.  The  fact  of  it  is,  women  like  a  little  of  the  devil  in  mankind, 
because  it  agrees  with  their  ideas  of  what  they  would  be  if  men.  You  fol- 
low me,  my  lord  ?  " 

"  No,  I  do  not.  I  am  too  much  in  love  with  my  wife  to  entertain  those 
odious  ideas  for  a  moment,"  I  said,  a  little  proudly. 

"  Time  will  cure  you  of  all  such  weaknesses,  my  lord.  You  are  not  the 
first  one  who  has  been  in  love  with  a  wife,  but  you  are  the  first  one  who  re- 
fused to  return  to  a  wife  as  charming  as  the  Belle  of  Australia.  You  will 
go  bade  with  me,  my  lord  ?  " 

"  No,  not  until  a  year  has  elapsed  will  I  appear  before  her.  Then  she  will 
have  learned  to  forget  me,  or  to  appreciate  me  for  what  I  am." 

The  Chief  shrugged  his  shoulders,  his  favorite  protest. 

"Your  masquerading  may  have  a  design  in  it,"  he  said.  "  I  do  not  pre- 
tend to  understand  the  whims  of  the  quality.  They  are  so  mysterious  that 
even  a  police  officer  can't  spot  them.  But  I  will  talk  to  you  on  this  subject 
tomorrow.  I  have  ridden  all  day  under  a  hot  sun,  and  am  tired.  I  need 
rest.  I  can't  endure  as  much  as  formerly.  In  the  morning  we  will  discuss 
the  subject  of  your  return  to  Melbourne.  Have  I  your  lordship's  word  that 
you  will  make  no  attempt  to  avoid  me  until  then  ?  " 

"  Certainly.  I  am  here  to  stay,  and  to  win  a  fortune,  if  possible.  God 
grant  that  I  shall." 

"  Your  good  fortune  lies  in  Melbourne,  and  there  I  hope  to  see  you  soon. 
Your  wife  is  far  from  well,  and  would  welcome  you  most  cordially,  forgive 
you  very  cheerfully,  and  forget  the  greatest  insult  that  can  be  inflicted  on  a 
woman,  desertion  on  her  bridal  eve." 

"She  would  welcome  me  as  the  Earl  of  Afton,  I  suppose?"  I  asked,  a 
little  bitterly. 

"  Of  course,  the  countess  should  welcome  her  husband  by  his  title.  I 
don't  know  if  people  in  high  rank  say  'duck, 'and  '  sweetness,' or  simply 
'  my  lord,'  and  '  my  lady.'  I  used  to  call  my  wife  '  old  woman,'  and  she  was 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  207 

accustomed  to  it,  and  rather  liked  it,  but  when  she  retaliated,  and  called  me 
'old  man,'  I  thought  it  was  time  to  stop,  and  return  to  first  principles. 
Well,  good-night,  my  lord.  I  will  see  you  in  the  morning,  I  hope.  Shall  I 
kick  the  Chinamen  out  of  the  hut?  " 

"  No,  they  are  useful  to  me,  and  I  have  need  of  them.  They  are  honest 
and  industrious." 

"  You  do  not  know  them  any  more  than  you  do  the  people  of  Australia. 
I  tell  you  there  is  treachery  in  every  glance  of  the  fellows'  eyes,  in  every 
movement  of  their  hands.  Keep  them  at  a  distance,  if  you  know  what  is 
good  for  yourself.  If  you  desire,  I  will  leave  one  of  my  men  here  tonight 
to  see  that  no  harm  happens  to  your  lordship,"  the  Chief  said.  It  was  evi- 
dent he  did  n't  love  Chinamen. 

"  It  is  unnecessary,  sir.  I  rescued  one  of  the  men  from  a  terrible  fate,  in 
the  bush,  the  other  day,  and  J  do  not  think  he  has  forgotten  the  act  quite 
as  soon  as  this.  I  will  run  all  risk,  and,  even  if  the  Chinamen  are  as  bad 
as  you  represent,  I  have  a  revolver  to  defend  myself." 

"  Bah  !  "  with  an  expression  of  disgust,  "do  you  think  the  fellows  would 
face  you  and  your  revolver  ?  They  are  not  of  that  kind.  They  attack  in 
the  rear,  and  use  an  axe  or  hatchet.  I  know  them  as  well  as  I  know  the 
tricks  of  the  black  fellows.  Come,  my  lord,  be  advised  by  me." 

"  Please  do  not  call  me  a  lord  again,  Mr.  Murden.  I  am  plain  Angus 
Mornington,  arid  do  not  wish  to  sail  under  false  colors.  As  such  I  married 
my  wife,  and  as  such  she  must  receive  me,  if  she  ever  does." 

"  As  you  please,  sir.  But  I  will  see  you  again  in  the  morning,"  and  then 
the  Chief  bowed,  and  left  the  shanty,  and  the  terrified  Chinamen  laid  down, 
and  whispered  in  tea-box  Chinese,  and  I  once  more  went  to  sleep,  and  did 
not  awaken  until  long  after  sunrise,  and  then  I  found  that  Gin  Sling  had 
arose,  and  got  breakfast,  and  that  it  was  waiting  for  me,  with  a  nice  pot  of 
tea,  and  some  hard-tack,  and  broiled  mutton,  the  latter  obtained  from  a  fel- 
low who  hawked  sheep  through  the  camp,  and  made  a  profitable  business 
out  of  it,  as  he  stole  most  of  his  stock. 

After  breakfast  the  two  Chinaman  went  to  work  on  the  annex  of  my 
hut.  I  bought  a  deserted  shanty  near  mine  for  a  song,  tore  it  down,  and 
removed  the  best  part  of  the  rubbish  to  my  claim,  and.  after  the  celestials 
had  got  to  work,  went  over  to  Mrs.  Higgins's  to  make  arrangements  for 
Kitty's  return  to  Melbourne  by  the  noon  stage. 

To  my  surprise  Mrs.  Higgins  did  not  respond  to  my  good-morning  with 
as  much  cordiality  as  she  had  exhibited  the  night  before.  In  fact,  she  look- 
ed cross. 


208  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  How  is  Miss  Kitty  this  morning  ?  "  I  asked,  with  a  winsome  smile,  and 
not  a  particle  of  guile  in  my  heart. 

Mrs.  Higgins  gave  a  sniff  that  could  have  been  heard  all  along  Sturt 
Street,  and  then  expressed  her  opinion  very  forcibly. 

"  I  said  last  night,"  she  cried,  "  that  you  were  either  a  fool  or  a  hypocrite, 
and  that  time  would  show  which.  Time  has  shown." 

„•'  My  dear  Mrs.  Higgins,"  I  began,  but  the  lady  silenced  me  with  a  sniff 
that  was  like  a  steam-whistle 

"  Don't  dear  me.  I  'm  an  honest  woman,  thank  God,  and  keeps  a  re- 
spectable house,  and  when  I  take  people  in  'cos  other  people  want  me  to, 
and  when  those  other  people  put  on  a  soft  look,  and  talk  smooth,  they  can't 
come  it  over  me  but  once,  now  I  tell  you,"  and  there  was  a  whole  volley  of 
sniffs. 

"  Will  you  explain  what  you  mean,  dear  Mrs.  Higgins  ?"  I  asked,  quite 
humbly. 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  will.  I  said  I  'd  be  a  mother  to  you,  but  I  take  it  all  back 
from  last  night.  I  '11  not  be  a  mother  to  the  likes  of  you,"  and  there  was  a 
terrible  sniff. 

"  Why,  what  have  I  done  ?  "  I  demanded  in  astonishment. 

"  O  Lord,  hear  him  ask  what  he  has  done  !  You  did  n't  come  back  to  this 
house  about  nine  o'clock  last  night,  and  say  that  you  must  see  your  Kitty 
without  a  moment's  delay  ?  You  did  n't  rouse  her  out  of  bed,  and  catch  her 
in  your  arms,  and  kiss  her,  and  say  that  you  had  made  a  mistake,  and  did 
n't  meet  her  just  where  you  expected  to  ?  Oh,  no,  you  did  n't  do  all  that, 
and  then  carry  the  girl  off  to  a  rough  cart,  and  drive  away  ?  Oh,  no,  Mr. 
Innocence.  Of  course  you  would  n't  do  such  a  thing,"  and  her  sniffs  were 
something  terrible  to  an  honest,  timid  young  man  like  myself,  who  thought 
that  he  had  found  a  true  friend  in  the  motherly  landlady,  for  had  she  not 
noticed  me  above  all  of  her  lodgers  ? 

"Yes,"  she  continued,  her  rage  increasing  as  she  talked,  and  thought  of 
the  great  wrong  she  fancied  I  had  done  her,  "  I  put  confidence  in  your 
smooth,  gentle  ways,  and  your  smooth,  nice  face,  and  your  quiet,  polite 
manner,  and  I  thought  that  if  ever  there  was  an  angel  of  a  youn^  man  that 
you  were  one,  and  yesterday  if  you  had  asked  me  to  be  your  own,  true, 
hard-working  wife,  I  should  not  have  hesitated  one  moment  to  put  my  wo- 
manly trust  in  your  keeping,  and  to  have  reposed  my  modest  head  on  your 
breast,  and  found  that  rest  that  only  a  good,  quiet  woman  like  me  can  ex- 
pect to  find  in  one  of  your  sex.  But,  bah  !  you  are  all  alike.  False  as  Sa- 
tan where  a  female  with  a  pretty  face  is  concerned  ;  and  now  let  me  tell  you, 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  209 

you  mean,  deceitful  scamp,  that  if  you  should  go  down  on  your  knees  I 
would  not  marry  you,  so  don't  ask  me.  I  've  had  three  husbands,  and  I 
know  what  men  are  capable  of,  I  do." 

"  Do  you  mean  to  tell  me  that  Kitty  is  gone  ?  "  I  demanded,  almost  be- 
wildered at  the  information,  and  the  tirade  of  abuse. 

"  I  mean  to  tell  you  that  she  is  gone,  as  you  well  know,  and  she  is  where 
you  well  know,  and  for  what  purpose  I  don't  wish  to  know.  So  there 
now. " 

"  The  man  who  took  her  away  resembled  me,  did  he  ?  "  I  asked,  still  be- 
wildered. 

A  scornful  sniff,  that  knocked  all  preceding  sniffs  into  a  .cocked  hat,  was 
the  answer,  accompanied  by  the  words,  — 

"  It  was  you,  and  there  's  no  use  talking  about  it.  Go  away  from  me,  and 
don't  speak  to  me  again." 

"  Yet,  Mrs.  Higgins,  you  are  mistaken.  It  was  not  me,  I  do  assure  you 
most  faithfully." 

"  And  a  pretty  time  I  had  of  it  this  morning,"  she  said,  "  when  Mr.  Mur- 
den  called  on  me  to  see  the  girl,  and  found  that  you  had  run  away  with  her. 
He  swore  awfully,  and  galloped  off  with  a  black  tracker  to  find  the  trail. 
He  said  that  you  was  the  biggest  liar  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  and,  faith,  for 
once  I  agreed  with  him,  for  I  think  that  way  myself.  Well,  well,  I  'm  ready 
to  believe  anything  of  men  now.  Drat  your  impudence,  what  do  you  mean 
by  insulting  a  respectable  woman,  who  works  hard  for  an  honest  living,  and 
who  has  buried  three  husbands,  by  coming  here  with  your  innocent  ways, 
and  your  smooth  words,  and  making  my  home  a  place  for  your  mistress  ? 
I  Ve  a  good  mind  to  shake  you  as  ever  I  had  to  eat  my  dinner.  Get  out  of 
here,  or  I  '11  scald  you." 

Mrs.  Higgins  was  getting  angry,  and  she  had  reason  for  her  rage,  if  she 
really  believed  me  capable  of  all  that  she  charged.  The  Earl  of  Afton  had 
played  a  mean  trick,  and  I  could  not  defend  myself,  strive  hard  as  I 
would. 

"  The  Chief  has  gone  in  search  of  me,  has  he  ?  "  I  asked,  after  a  mo- 
ment's pause. 

A  sniff,  and  an  angry  look. 

"  He  need  not  have  gone  far  to  <ind  me,  Mrs.  Higgins.  I  did  not  leave 
my  shanty  from  eight  o'clock  last  night  until  an  hour  since,  as  I  can  prove 
by  the  two  Chinamen,  who  slept  in  the  same  room  with  me." 

"  And  do  you  think  that  I  'd  take  a  Chinese  heathen's  word  any  sooner 
than  I  'd  take  yours?  You  have  only  to  lie,  and  they  "d  swear  to  it  for  half 


210  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

a  crown.  Such  testimony  don't  go  down  with  me,  now  I  tell  you,  so  go 
along  about  your  business,  and  don't  come  here  with  your  innocent  airs  any 
more,  or  I  '11  hurt  you.  You  'd  corrupt  a  girls'  boarding-school  in  a  week's 
time,  if  you  had  your  way." 

She  turned  her  back  upon  me,  and  was  about  to  resume  her  usual  hard 
day's  labor,  when  1  said,  — 

"  At  least  you  will  let  me  pay  for  the  trouble  the  girl  occasioned  you  last 
night." 

"  You  tossed  me  four  sovereigns  last  evening  when  you  went  away,  and 
that  is  pay  enough.  I  'd  scorn  the  money,  but  you  might  use  it  for  a  worse 
purpose  than  giving  it  to  a  hard-working  woman,  who  has  lost  three  hus- 
bands, and  is  as  honest  as  the  day  is  long,  and  would  n't  marry  a  fourth  un- 
less he  was  more  moral,  and  better  than  you  in  every  respect.  But  go  your 
way,  you  good-looking  imp  of  Satan,  and  don't  provoke  me,  or  I  shall  get 
mad.  I  have  trials  and  temptations  enough  every  day  of  my  life,  without 
standing  here,  and  seeing  your  looks  of  pretended  surprise,  corrupting  my 
servant  girls,  leading  them  into  temptation,  and  I  know  not  what.  I  am  a 
woman  of  few  words,  as  all  of  my  dear,  dead  husbands  frequently  used  to 
say,  and  I  never  spend  my  time  talking  to  man  or  woman,  especially  the 
latter,  for  they  are  too  mean  to  live,  some  of  them,  and  are  just  as  bad  as  the 
men,  only  they  won't  own  it,  more  is  the  shame  for  them,  and  if  I  had  my 
way,  I  'd  find  a  place  for  all  of  them  good-for-nothing  huzzies,  mighty  quick," 
and  then  Mother  Higgins  paused  to  take  breath,  and  I  put  in  a  word. 

"  Please,  my  dear  friend,  don't  think  me  as  bad  as  you  would  make  me," 
I  said,  very  humbly. 

"  Don't  dear  me,  sir.  I  'm  not  one  of  your  dears,  I  'd  have  you  to  know. 
I  'm  an  honest  widow  woman,  and  have  buried  three  husbands,  and  you  need 
n't  think  that  you  '11  be  the  fourth,  I  can  tell  you.  Now,  there.  Get  out  of 
my  sight." 

There  was  no  more  to  be  said,  and,  with  a  muttered  malediction  on  my 
double,  who  was  causing  me  all  this  trouble,  and  intense  annoyance,  I  turn- 
ed to  leave  the  house,  and  had  the  satisfaction  of  hearing  two  stout  Irish 
girls  utter  shouts  of  disparagement  on  account  of  my  guilty  conduct,  yet 
both  of  those  girls  were  on  probation,  and  had  been  taken  by  the  really 
good  and  motherly  Mrs.  Higgins,  in  hope  of  saving  them,  and  of  ultimately 
marrying  them  to  sedate  and  elderly  miners. 

I  returned  to  my  hut  and  Chinamen  in  no  enviable  mood,  and  all  day  long 
labored  at  the  addition  to  my  shanty,  and  by  night  it  was  all  ready  for  occu- 
pancy, washed  and  dried,  papered  with  some  old  illustrated  journals,  and  it 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  211 

had  quite  a  gay  and  comfortable  appearance  when  my  bed  was  made  up  on 
the  floor.  I  had  now  determined  to  remain  at  the  mines,  for  I  saw  two  or 
three  chances  to  make  money,  and  1  needed  a  home,  even  if  gold-digging 
was  not  a  success.  But  I  should  require  Mike's  assistance  to  carry  out  my 
plans,  and  waited  for  him  quite  anxiously.  If  all  other  schemes  failed  I  re- 
solved to  cut  and  haul  timber  for  bracing  the  deep  shafts,  as  it  brought  a 
high  price,  and  was  scarce. 

Several  days  passed,  and  we  were  kept  busy  cleaning  up  the  rubbish 
around  the  hut,  building  a  cooking-house,  and  fireplace,  and  constructing  a 
bathing-hole  on  the  banks  of  the  stream,  so  that  I  could  take  my  bath  after 
the  labors  of  the  day,  and  feel  all  the  better  for  it.  My  Chinamen  were  not 
as  fond  of  the  water  as  a  Japanese,  but  I  made  them  wash,  although  some- 
times they  shirked  and  lied  about  it. 

In  the  mean  time  the  three  pirates  used  to  visit  us  regularly  every  day, 
and  sit  on  a  log,  and  smoke,  and  banter  us  for  not  working  the  mine,  and  af- 
ter they  tired  of  such  pleasant  amusement,  they  would  go  to  the  nearest  ale- 
house, and  get  drunk,  and  boast  of  their  rascality.  Still  Mike  did  not  put 
in  an  appearance,  and  I  began  to  feel  a  little  worried  about  him,  as  bush- 
rangers were  reported  on  the  road,  and  doing  a  lively  business  in  robbing 
all  who  were  not  strong  enough  to  resist  an  attack. 

"  Gin  Sling,"  I  said,  one  morning  after  breakfast,  "  how  much  longer 
does  that  Chinese  friend  of  yours  intend  to  remain  here  ?  " 

"  Hee  goie  nowie  s'posee  youe  noie  wante." 

"  Then  let  him  go,  for  we  have  no  more  work  for  him.  How  much  shall  I 
pay  him  for  what  he  has  done  ?  " 

"  Notie.  Hee  likie  meie,  hee  likie  youe,  and  hee  workie  ittie  nowie.  Hee 
goie  workie  wide  Chinaman  againe." 

The  friend  of  Gin  took  his  departure  after  breakfast,  and  then  I  deter- 
mined to  bring  to  light  my  big  nugget,  and  have  it  in  the  bank  before  night, 
for  I  did  not  know  how  soon  Mr.  Murden  might  return,  and  make  trouble 
for  me,  as  I  knew  that  he  would  not  accept  my  assurances  that  I  had  noth- 
ing to  do  with  the  abrupt  departure  of  Kitty.  Mr.  Murden  was  a  very  good 
man,  but  he  was  as  obstinate  as  Mrs.  Higgins  about  some  things.  He 
thought  that  he  could  not  be  wrong. 

I  sent  Gin  down  the  shaft,  and  told  him  to  dig  thirty  or  forty  buckets  of 
gravel,  and  send  them  up,  and  when  I  gave  a  whistle,  he  was  to  load  in  the 
nugget,  and  then  come  to  the  surface.  While  I  was  working  the  windlass, 
and  emptying  the  dirt,  the  three  old  pirates  came  along,  as  usual,  and  sat 
down  on  their  accustomed  log,  and  almost  went  into  convulsions  of  laughter 


the  Belle  of  Australia. 


when  they  saw  me  laboring,  and  looking  over  the  gravel,  as  I  emptied  it,  in 
the  hope  of  seeing  the  color  of  gold,  or  a  small  nugget. 

J  paid  no  attention  to  the  fellows,  and  all  their  harsh  words  did  not  pro- 
duce a  reply.  Then  one  of  the  pirates  went  to  the  "  Digger's  Rest,"  and 
returned  with  some  beer,  and  a  fresh  supply  of  tobacco,  and  then  drank  to 
my  health,  and  to  my  exertions,  and  said  some  profane  things  and  blew 
clouds  of  smoke  toward  me,  and  laughed,  and  wanted  to  know  if  1  would 
sell  out  cheap,  and  to  let  them  know  when  I  got  tired  of  such  stupid  play. 
Even  Mother  Higgins,  who,  I  think,  had  a  little  motherly  feeling  for  me, 
after  all  her  harsh  words,  came  toward  the  shaft,  and  looked  at  me  kind  of 
sorrowfully,  as  though  she  wanted  to  make  up,  and  be  good  friends,  but 
when  I  smiled  at  her  in  a  pleasant  way,  she  gathered  her  petticoats  around 
her,  and  sidled  off,  but  stopped  long  enough  to  say,  — 

"Now,  Mr.  Angus,  don't  be  a  fool  any  longer.  I  know  you  are  wicked 
and  immoral,  but  still  you  might  reform,  and  then,  perhaps,  I  'd  listen  to 
you.  I  Ve  buried  three  husbands,  and  neither  of  them  would  take  advice 
when  living,  and  you  see  the  consequences.  They  Ve  dead,  but,  perhaps, 
the  fourth  would  outlive  me,  and  I  should  leave  him  all  of  my  money,"  and 
with  this  shot  she  was  off. 

"  Veil,  of  all  the  cussed  fools  that  ever  I  did  see,"  one  of  the  pirates  said, 
and  just  then  I  gave  the  signal,  and  the  big  nugget  was  loaded  into  the 
bucket,  and  I  made  a  seeming  effort  to  draw  it  to  the  surface,  pretending 
that  it  was  much  heavier  than  it  really  was. 

"  He  's  got  a  bite,  Jim,"  said  the  old  ruffian  who  had  sold  me  the  claim. 
"  He  's  cotched  a  gudgeon,  or  a  vhale." 

I  said  nothing,  but  drew  the  bucket  up,  and  emptied  the  nugget  on  the 
ground,  a  big  shining  lump  of  solid  gold. 

"  It  's  a  whale  this  time,  mates,"  I  cried  as  I  lifted  up  the  treasure,  and 
carried  it  into  the  shanty  as  quickly  as  possible. 

"  Hullo  !  vhat  in  the  devil  are  you  doin'  vid  that  ?  "  roared  the  three  ruf- 
fians, and  came  toward  me,  and  three  more  surprised  pirates  were  never 
seen. 

"  That  'ere  belongs  to  us.  Ve  only  left  it  there  to  keep  till  ve  vas  ready 
for  it.  Jist  yer  hand  that  over,  or  the  vust  for  yer,  now  I  tells  yer." 

"Yes,  it  's  hours,"  they  all  roared  together.  "  Yer  jist  give  it  up  to  us. 
Ve  von't  stand  any  of  yer  bloody  games  on  us." 

They  would  have  entered  the  hut,  and  seized  on  the  nugget,  but  I  had  ex- 
pected all  that,  and  was  prepared  for  it. 

"  Mates,"  I  said,  as  I  stood  in  the  doorway,  and  raised  my  heavy  revolv- 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  2 13 

er,  "  if  you  dare  to  enter  this  shanty,  or  to  cross  the  threshold,  I  '11  shoot 
you  dead.  Mind  what  I  tell  you,  for  I  'm  in  earnest.  Gin,  go  for  a  trap, 
and  tell  him  to  come  here  immediately,  and  help  escort  a  big  nugget  to  the 
bank.  Run  for  it,  and  let  no  one  stop  you." 

"  Meie  offe,"  was  the  answer,  and  away  he  went,  although  one  of  the  ruf- 
fians did  attempt  to  intercept  him,  but  failed,  for  Gin  was  like  an  eel  in  his 
movements. 

"  It  's  a  bloody  Yankee  trick,  a  • -  mean  Yankee  trick,  and  yer  a 

rascal  to  take  adwantage  of  three  'onest  men,  vhat  are  hold  and  poor,  and 
'as  no  money  but  that  'ere  nugget  to  get  'em  in  a  'ospital." 

"  Is  it  a  Yanka  trick  yer  spake  of,  buys  ? "'  cried  a  familiar  voice.  "  Will, 
here  's  a  rael  ould  Oirish  one,  and,  bedad,  I  hopes  yer  loikes  it.  Take  that, 
yer  beggars,  and  that,  and  that,  and  thin  tell  me  if  yer  loikes  it  as  will  as 
the  Yanka  trick  that  yer  spake  of?" 

There  was  a  whistling  sound  in  the  air,  some  solid  blows,  and  I  saw  a 
stout  stick  flourishing  around  the  heads  of  the  three  pirates,  and  then  pro- 
longed howls,  as  the  old  ruffians  tumbled  to  the  ground,  and,  as  they  at- 
tempted to  rise,  were  helped  along  by  several  vigorous  kicks,  that  must  have 
hurt,  for  Mike  wore  heavy  boots,  and  the  toes  were  sharp,  and  very  thick. 

"  Do  yer  want  some  more  of  the  same  kind,  yer  dirty  spalpeens,  that  in- 
sults a  true-blooded  American,  that  honors  the  country  by  comin'  here  at 
all,  at  all  ?  Git  out  wid  yer,  afore  I  commits  bigomy,  and  murders  every 
blessed  one  of  yer.  Don't  stop  to  spake,  but  go,  for  I  can't  restrain  my 
shillalah  when  once  it  gits  to  workin',  and  I  'm  jist  spilin'  for  a  fight,  for  I 
have  n't  had  one  since  me  time  was  out,  some  tin  da\xs  ago.  Whoop,  let  me 
git  at  'em  agin." 

But  the  three  old  pirates  had  taken  the  hint,  and  gone,  as  fast  as  their 
legs  could  carry  them,  to  the  ale-house,  and  then  related  the  wonderful 
news  that  I  had  found  a  nugget  as  large  as  a  barrel,  and  worth  at  least 
twenty  thousand  pounds,  but,  as  most  of  those  present  thought  the  fellows 
drunk,  or  lying  for  a  purpose,  no  notice  was  taken  of  them,  and  this  was 
fortunate  for  my  plans,  for,  as  soon  as  I  had  welcomed  Mike,  I  told  him  to 
run  to  the  tax-office,  and  take  out  claims,  each  side  of  mine,  one  in  his 
name,  and  the  other  in  that  of  Gin  Sling. 

"And  who  is  Gin  Sling,  sur  ?  "  asked  Mike. 

"  A  Chinaman,  who  is  working  for  me,'*  I  replied,  although  it  was  no  time 
to  answer  questions. 

"  A  hathan,  sur  ?  " 

"  Yes,  but  a  real  good  fellow,  and  one  you  will  like.     Now  run  as  fast  as 


2 14  The  Belle  of  Aiistralia. 


you  can.  Here  is  the  money  to.  pay  for  the  tax.  Remember,  Gin  Sling. 
Don't  forget." 

"  Sure,  I  '11  remember.  It 's  a  very  spirited  name.  One  don't  forget  the 
gin.  Faith,  1  wish  1  had  some  now,  for  it  's  tired  I  am.  But  I  'm  off,  and, 
if  yer  honor  would  jist  sa  that  me  parsonal  property  is  taken  from  the  tame, 
and  give  the  lad  what  brought  me  here  a  little  drop  of  somethin',  I  '11  tell 
yer  all  about  meself  when  I  return,"  and  he  was  off. 

1  helped  unload  the  team,  and  found  my  hammock  and  clothes-bag  all 
right,  and  that  Mike  had  among  his  effects  the  long,  rusty  musket  that  he 
thought  so  much  of,  and  which  he  had  promised  I  should  fire  some  day,  as 
a  great  personal  favor. 

I  gave  the  driver  a  drink  of  beer,  and  something  to  eat,  and  learned  that 
he  was  a  shepherd  on  Mr.  Kebblewhite's  run,  and  that  Mike  had  delayed 
leaving  his  place  until  the  last  moment,  because  a  party  of  bushrangers, 
some  four  in  number,  had  raided  on  the  sheep,  and  killed  quite  a  lot,  just 
out  of  pure  wantonness.  Mike  and  the  others  had  laid  in  wait  for  the  fel- 
lows, assisted  by  an  old  Quaker,  but  had  not  been  able  to  encounter  the 
robbers,  and,  as  they  appeared  to  have  left  that  part  of  the  country,  Mike 
packed  up,  and  joined  me. 

While  I  was  talking  with  the  stockman  a  mounted  police  officer  returned 
with  Gin  Sling,  and  offered  to  escort  me  and  the  nugget  to  the  bank.  The 
man  was  astonished  at  the  lump  of  gold,  and  declared  that  it  was  the  purest 
specimen  of  the  kind  that  he  had  ever  seen  in  Ballarat. 

I  packed  the  nugget  in  a  blanket,  on  the  Chinaman's  back,  and  walked  to 
the  bank,  and  astonished  all  who  saw  it  by  demanding  that  the  gold  be 
weighed,  and  estimated  as  to  its  value.  « 

"  Do  you  mean  to  tell  me  that  this  came  out  of  the  Bank-of-England 
Mine  ?  "  asked  the  cashier  in  astonishment. 

"  That  is  what  I  mean  to  say,"  was  my  reply,  and  I  spoke  the  truth. 

"  Well,  some  people  are  born  lucky,  and  you  are  one  of  them,"  the  cash- 
ier said. 

"  Oh,  that  is  a  mere  baby  to  what  I  intend  to  find,"  was  my  careless  reply, 
but  I  must  confess  that  I  had  no  idea  that  my  words  would  corne  true.  I 
was  only  bluffing  a  little  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  had  laughed  at  me  so 
heartily  when  I  purchased  the  mine. 

All  the  bank  officers  left  their  usual  avocations  to  question  me,  and  to 
examine  the  nugget.  They  were  delighted  with  it,  and  seemed  really  pleased 
with  my  good  fortune,  and  not  a  man  present  said  a.  disagreeable  word 
about  my  being  a  Yankee.  After  all  we  do  like  to  congratulate  a  person  on 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  215 


his  good  luck,  almost  as  much  as  we  like  to  learn  of  a  dear  friend's  misfor- 
tune, and  loss  of  money,  and  influence  in  the  political  world,  and,  when 
every  one  had  guessed  the  weight  of  the  nugget,  the  old  miner  came  in,  the 
same  one  who  had  borrowed  several  shillings  of  me,  and  forgotten  to  return 
them,  as  his  memory  was  failing  him  quite  fast  as  respects  money  matters, 
but  still  he  could  remember  many  things  that  were  not  of  near  so  much  im- 
portance as  returning  loans 

The  old  fellow  pushed  his  way  to  the  front  rank,  looked  at  the  lump  of 
gold  in  silence,  wiped  his  mouth  with  the  back  of  his  hand,  for  his  agitation 
caused  drops  of  water  to  fall  from  his  lips,  and  then  he  said,  in  slow,  delib- 
erate tones,  as  if  to  impress  each  one  within  his  hearing  of  the  truth  of  his 
yarns,  — 

"  I  'm  an  old  man,  and  if  any  one  'as  a  bit  of  'baccy  about  'em,  'e  can't  do 
better  than  to  bestow  it  on  me,  and  a  glass  of  beer  or  rum,  but  I  prefers  the 
last,  if  it  is  all  the  same  to  yer,  'cos  on  an  occasion  like  this  peoples  should 
be  generous,  and  all  that.  Thank  yer,  sir,  yer  is  wery  kind.  Now  the 
rum.  Vait  must  I  ?  All  right,  sir,  but  I  'opes  yer  '11  make  it  two  glasses 
vhile  yer  is  about  it,  for  the  information  I  'm  about  to  impart  is  wery  walua- 
ble,  and  no  one  hever  'card  the  story  afore  now.  It  's  just  goin'  on  for  ten 
years,  sir,  since  I  'elped  find  the  '  Velcome  Nugget,'  in  this  wery  camp,  and 
I  '11  tell  yer  all  about  it,  sir.  Yer  see,  I  vos  down  in  the  mine,  and  I  seed 
it  fust,  and  I  jist  sit  right  down,  and  could  n't  speak  for  a  full  'our,  and  if 
some  one  vould  give  me  a  lush  of  rum  I  could  talk  much  better  than  I  does 
now,  as  it  's  dry  work." 

"  Oh,  clear  out,  old  chap,"  said  the  cashier  of  the  bank.  "  We  have  heard 
your  lies  for  the  last  five  years,  and  you  never  tell  a  story  twice  alike.  You 
never  saw  the  '  Welcome  Nugget,'  or  lent  a  hand  to  mine  it.  Git  out,"  and 
the  old  man  was  waltzed  out  by  a  trap,  in  spite  of  his  protestations,  but, 
just  as  we  thought  we  had  got  rid  of  him,  and  when  we  were  all  patting  the 
nugget,  and  guessing  at  its  weight,  the  old  miner  once  more  edged  his  way 
through  the  crowd,  and  took  up  his  position  near  me,  and  again  resumed 
the  thread  of  his  discourse,  only  interrupted  by  being  turned  out  of  the 
room  by  the  policeman. 

"  Yes,  gents,"  he  said,  "  as  I  stated  afore,  I  could  n't  speak  afore  an  'our 
or  two,  I  vos  so  surprised,  but  I  called  for  some  lush,  and  my  mates  kinder 
thought  I  was  faint-like,  and  they  sends  me  down  a  nip  of  rum.  I  vish 
some  of  yer  gents  vould  do  the  'andsome  thing  by  me  at  this  time.  I  could 
go  on  vid  my  sermon  a  little  more  lively  if  yer  vould." 

"  Officer,  run  that  old  fraud  out  of  the  room,"  roared  the  cashier.     "  We 


216  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


have  no  time  to  fool  with  him.     If  he  won't  go,  kick  him  out.     He  will  cor- 
rupt the  whole  of  us  with  his  outrageous  lies." 

The  trap  run  the  old  fellow  out  once  more,  and  then  returned  to  feast  on 
the  sight  of  the  nugget. 

"  Ven  I  fust  seed  the  '  Velcome  Nugget,'  "  a  familiar  voice  cried,  and,  on 
looking  up,  we  saw  that  the  old  miner  was  perched  on  the  window,  outside, 
holding  on  by  his  hands,  and  looking  in  on  us,  in  a  very  benevolent  sort  of 
manner,  as  though  he  had  no  animosity  toward  us  for  our  cruel  treatment 
to  him.  "  If  any  gent  vill  be  kind  enough  to  give  me  a  small  piece  of 
'baccy,  and  a  glass  of  rum  or  beer,  rum  preferred,  if  jist  as  handy,  if  not, 
beer  vill  do.  Thank  yer,  sir,  but  that  's  not  the  kind  of  go  vot  I  vants,"  for 
some  one  threw  a  sweet  potato  at  his  head,  and  it  just  missed  him,  and 
came  near  breaking  the  glass. 

"  Clear  out,  you  old  liar,  or  I  '11  have  }ou  locked  up  in  jail,"  roared  the 
cashier,  and  the  trap  started  to  haul  th  *  miner  down,  but  the  people  out 
side  the  building  began  to  enjoy  the  fun,  and  would  not  let  the  officer  inter- 
fere, and  it  was  not  worth  quarreling  over,  so  the  old  chap  held  on,  until 
one  of  the  bank  officials  asked  him  if  he  would  clear  out  for  a  shilling. 

"  Yer  jist  try  me,  that 's  hall,"  was  the  response.  "  A  good  von,  yer  know. 
But  I  'd  rather  tell  yer  hall  about  the  '  Velcome  Nugget,'  if  it  's  hall  the 
same  to  yer,  and  I  von't  charge  yer  heny  more,  except  some  von  vants  to 
give  me  a  little  piece  of  'baccy,  and  a  lush  of  rum,  or  '11  take  beer." 

"  Take  the  shilling,  and  be  off,"  some  one  said,  and  the  veteran  put  it  in 
his  mouth,  and  vanished. 

The  nugget  weighed  just  a  little  over  three  hundred  and  six  ounces,  or 
most  twenty-six  pounds,  and  was  valued  at  twenty  dollars  per  ounce,  but,  as 
the  lump  was  a  great  curiosity,  the  cashier  said  that  he  would  give  me  sev- 
en thousand  dollars  for  it,  in  our  money,  but  I  told  him  I  thought  I  could 
do  better,  and  then  a  gentleman  came  forward,  and  said  that  he  would  buy 
it  for  a  historical  and  natural  history  society,  of  Melbourne,  and,  after  a 
little  banter,  I  was  offered  ten  thousand  dollars  for  the  prize,  and  as  this 
was  more  than  its  intrinsic  value  I  closed  with  the  bid,  received  my  money, 
placed  it  on  deposit  at  an  interest  of  ten  per  cent,  bought  a  draft  for  two 
hundred  pounds  in  my  mother's  name,  and  felt  quite  satisfied  with  my  day's 
work.  I  afterward  learned  that  the  nugget  changed  hands  at  a  large  ad- 
vance, and  I  think  that  it  is  still  in  Melbourne,  and  if  it  is  not  there  is  a  fac- 
simile m  one  of  the  institutions,  and  an  account  relating  all  the  facts  as  to 
the  finding,  but  I  think  the  black  fellows  could  have  told  a  different  story. 
However,  I  never  heard  of  them,  or  that  they  made  a  complaint  of  their  loss, 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  2i? 


for  the  native  black  is  a  wanderer,  here  today,  and  on  the  sea-coast  or  in 
the  interior  tomorrow.  Ever  moving,  and  restless,  without  homes  or  huts, 
they  go  where  the  most  food  is  to  be  had,  and  remain  until  the  stock  is  ex- 
hausted, caring  nothing  for  wealth  or  clothing,  and  taking  pride  only  in 
their  boomerangs,  their  spears,  nullas  and  waddies. 

By  the  time  ]  returned  to  the  hut  Mike  had  arrived  from  the  tax-office, 
with  all  necessary  papers,  and  I  found  quite  a  crowd  assembled  around  the 
shaft,  and  all  discussing  the  wonderful  luck  which  1  had  experienced,  and 
then  the  laugh  changed,  and  the  old  pirates  were  objects  of  derision,  and  so 
badly  were  they  ridiculed  that  they  packed  up  what  few  traps  they  had,  and 
\\ent  to  other  mines,  where  their  little  game  was  unknown. 

Of  course  a  hundred  miners,  as  soon  as  they  heard  of  the  lucky  find, 
rushed  to  the  tax  office  to  take  out  claims  next  to  mine,  but  found  that  they 
had  been  forestalled,  and  were  compelled  to  accept  of  lots  some  little  dis- 
tance off.  But  I  had  what  I  expected,  cash  offers  for  Mike's  and  Gin 
Sling's  claims,  and  from  one  hundred  pounds  the  bids  went  up  to  five  hun- 
dred pounds  each,  and  on  that  basis  I  sold,  took  my  cash,  and  put  it  in  the 
bank,  and  let  that  go  on  interest  also.  Thus  in  one  day  I  had  banked  fif- 
teen thousand  dollars.  I  began  to  feel  that  the  firm  was  able  to  hold  up  its 
head,  and,  in  honor  of  the  event,  I  told  Gin  to  go  and  buy  materials  for  a 
good  dinner,  a  dozen  bottles  of  ale,  and  also  such  fruit  as  he  could  lay  his 
hands  on,  for  we  would  do  no  more  work  that  day.  Then  I  listened  to 
Mike's  wonderful  adventures  with  the  bushrangers,  his  desire  to  be  with 
me,  and  his  sense  of  duty  that  kept  him  looking  after  the  sheep  of  his  em- 
ployer. While  telling  Mike  of  my  being  lost  in  the  bush,  and  of  finding  the 
Chinaman  tied  to  a  tree,  I  forgot  to  mention  all  about  the  nugget  that  the 
blacks  had  left  behind  them  when  they  fled.  I  did  not  think  it  desirable  to 
let  the  story  have  too  large  a  circulation,  and  Gin  had  received  a  hint  to 
keep  his  mouth  closed.  A  Chinaman  can  keep  a  secret  much  better  than  a 
lover,  or  a  young  woman.  Even  a  cork-screw  can't  draw  out  of  him  what  he 
does  not  want  to  be  known,  so  I  had  no  fear  of  his  talking  too  much. 

"  So  the  hathan  is  to  be  wi:l  us  ?  "  asked  Mike,  as  soon  as  he  had  learned 
all  the  particulars  of  my  adventures. 

"Yes,  Mike.  Gin  is  a  useful  fellow,  and  can  work  as  hard  as  the  rest  of 
us.  You  will  like  him." 

"  P'aps  I  shall,  sur,"  was  the  cautious  answer:  "but  I  'd  loike  him  better 
if  the  craturhad  some  little  religion  in  him.  He  's  a  hathen,  anyfiow,  and 
blank  a  hathen  that  's  no  religion." 

Mike  got  over  his  prejudice  after  a  while,  and  he  and  the  Chinaman  were 

10 


21 S  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


good  friends,  although  Mike  always  called  Gin  by  the  name  of  ;'  Hathen," 
to  show  that  the  celestial  was  not  quite  up  to  his  standard  in  matters  of  theol 
ogy  and  salvation. 

While  Mike  and  Gin  prepared  dinner.  I  wrote  to  my  mother  a  long  and 
minute  account  of  my  travels,  my  landing  at  Melbourne,  my  sudden  mar- 
riage to  a  beautiful  young  lady,  who  supposed  me  somebody  else,  my  mis- 
fortunes, because  I  resembled  an  English  nobleman,  of  Scotch  ancestors  j 
how  I  had  been  traduced,  and  made  to  suffer,  On  account  of  that  mysterious 
person,  and  asked  her  to  write  to  me  fully  and  frankly  why  two  men,  of  the 
same  age,  the  same  name,  yet  one  an  Englishman,  and  the  other  an  Amer- 
ican, could  look  so  much  alike  that  one  was  constantly  being  mi -taken  for 
the  other.  I  also  wrote  her  that,  what  was  still  more  singular,  the  father  of 
the  nobleman  had  been  the  first  lieutenant  on  board  the  line-of-battle  ship 
Asia,  and  that  I  knew  my  parent  had  been  first  lieutenant  of  the  line-of-bat- 
tle ship  Ohio,  and  that  I  had  heard  him  speak  of  lying  at  Naples,  alongside 
of  the  Englishman,  for  more  than  two  months,  or  until  he  thought  that  both 
ships  would  get  aground  on  the  beef-bones  thrown  overboard.  I  said  that  I 
should  remain  in  Australia  at  least  three  years,  that  I  had  done  well  so  far, 
and  sent  her  a  draft  on  the  Oriental  Bank  in  hopes  that  she  would  use 
it  to  her  advantage,  and  that  I  would  send  her  more  money  just  as  soon  as  I 
learned  that  she  had  received  my  draft,  and  answered  my  letter.  I  hoped 
that  she  would  approve  of  my  conduct  in  leaving  my  wife  on  the  evening  of 
my  nuptials,  considering  that  Florence  had  wedded  me  through  a  great  mis- 
take, but  that  I  loved  the  lady  very  dearly,  and  hoped  that  is  time  she 
would  love  me,  but  that  I  was  not  sanguine,  and  should  avoid  her  until  she 
sent  for  me,  and  forgave,  and  acknowledged  me  as  her  husbsnd,  without 
feeling  mortified  at  her  choice. 

All  this  I  told  her,  and  many  other  things  which  I  knew  would  interest 
her,  and,  before  dinner  was  ready,  I  had  mailed  my  letter,  and  saw  it  go  out 
in  the  midday  coach,  dashing  along  the  dusty  road  on  its  way  to  Melbourne, 
and  from  thence  by  steamer  to  England. 

Our  dinner  was  a  great  success.  The  mutton  chops  were  not  as  tough  as 
some  that  we  had  had,  the  tea  was  no  more  smoky  than  I  had  drank  before, 
the  fruit  was  about  as  hot  and  wilted  as  one  could  expect  in  the  mines,  and 
the  hard-tack  was  venerable,  and  a  little  inclined  to  be  weevily,  but  this,  the 
Chinaman  said,  was  an  advantage,  because  you  could  get  more  for  your 
money  than  you  otherwise  would.  But  the  ale  was  good  and  lively,  and, 
the  first  bottle  Mike  opened,  two-thirds  of  its  contents  flew  over  Gin,  and 
covered  him  with  foam,  until  he  looked  as  though  he  had  been  through  a 


Belle  of  Australia.  219 


typhoon  in  the  China  Sea,  and  was  hopelessly  shipwrecked.  The  only  re- 
gret expressed  was  the  loss  of  the  ale,  and  a  wet  rag  soon  restored  the  Chi- 
naman to  a  proper  state  of  cleanliness. 

"  Did  yer  moind  the  smooth-tongued  Quaker,  Mr.  Hangus  ?  "  asked  Mike, 
while  we  were  at  dinner.  "The  divil  that  rode  a  pace  with  us  near  Web- 
ber's ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes.     What  of  him  ?  " 

••  Will,  he  *s  bin  on  the  shape  run  for  a  wake  past,  and  said  he  'd  help 
tackle  the  bushrangers,  but  when  we  ?d  go  for  'em  wid  him  in  company, 
sure  there  was  no  findin'  of  'em.  But  what  puzzles  me  ontirely  is  that  I 
saw  yer  one  day,  Mr.  Hangus." 

"  Me,  Mike  ?  "  I  demanded,  astonished  at  the  information. 

"  Yes,  sur.  Sure  I  sung  out  to  yer  to  come  to  yer  friend  Mike,  but  yer 
only  laughed,  and  took  to  the  woods;  and  why  did  n't  yer  spake  to  me,  Mr 
Hangus?" 

"  It  was  not  me,  Mike,  but  the  person  who  is  supposed  to  look  like  me. 
Do  you  think  I  'd  refuse  to  speak  to  an  old  friend  like  you  ?  I  have  not 
been  absent  from  Ballarat." 

"  Will,  now,  it  puzzled  me,  it  did.  I  could  have  sword  it  was  yer,  Mr. 
Hangus.  But,  as  yer  say  that  it  wa'n't,  I  'm  bound  to  belave  yer.  But  the 
loikeness  was  wonderful.  Bedad  it  was,"  and  here  the  subject  was  dropped. 

In  the  afternoon  we  received  many  visitors,  and  all  were  interested  in  the 
big  nugget.  We  had  many  offers  to  sell  the  mine,  but  I  declined  them  all, 
as  I  did  not  wish  to  swindle  people  too  outrageously,  out  of  revenge  for  the 
small  sell  that  had  been  put  on  me.  But  I  will  say,  in  this  connection,  that 
the  two  claims  adjoining  us,  and  which  I  sold  at  large  figures,  did  turn  out 
very  well,  and  netted  the  proprietors  a  handsome  profit,  so  they  had  no 
cause  of  complaint. 

That  night  I  slept  in  my  old  hammock,  in  the  annex,  and  left  Mike  and 
Gin  the  dining-room  to  themselves.  I  could  hear  them  talking,  and  boast- 
ing of  their  countries,  until  long  after  ten  o'clock,  and  then  I  went  to  sleep, 
and,  as  usual,  dreamed  of  Florence,  and  that  she  was  pleading  for  me  to  re- 
turn to  her  arms. 

The  next  day  we  worked  rather  languidly  at  the  mine,  but  did  not  see  a 
speck  of  gold,  and  so  on  for  days  and  days,  and  at  length  I  began  to  grow 
weary  of  always  bracing  the  shaft,  as  it  grew  deeper,  of  pawing  over  dirt, 
that  did  not  contain  gold,  of  hoisting  up  gravel  and  mud,  which  were  worth- 
less, and  I  really  began  to  debate  whether  I  had  not  better  sell  out,  and  try 
a  new  location,  when  an  incident  occurred  that  set  the  whole  camp  in  mo- 


, 

220  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

tion,  and  produced  the  greatest  excitement  that  was  ever  known  in  the  min- 
ing region  of  Ballarat. 

One  morning  I  had  gone  to  the  bottom  of  the  shaft  with  Gin,  leaving 
Mike  to  do  the  hoisting.  I  did  not  feel  very  good-tempered,  for  I  saw  week 
after  week  pass  over  my  head,  and  no  addition  to  my  fortune,  while  there 
was  constant  expense  to  feed  all  three  of  us,  and  a  certain  sum  that  I  had 
agreed  to  pay  Mike  and  Gin,  as  long  as  they  remained  with  me.  The 
wages  were  satisfactory  to  both  of  them,  higher,  in  fact,  than  was  paid  at 
Camp  Reserve,  and  the  work  not  half  as  hard,  but  I  could  not  operate  alone, 
and  needed  the  assistance  of  both  men. 

I  took  up  a  pick,  and  struck  a  spiteful  blow  on  the  gravel,  and  felt  the 
point  of  the  tool  touch  hard  rock,  a  substance  we  had  been  looking  for  for 
some  days  past. 

"  Hollo,  Gin,"  I  said,  "we  are  down  to  hard  pan,  and  now  we  shall  see  if 
we  are  to  find  gold." 

I  withdrew  the  pick,  and  caught  a  glimpse,  by  the  dull  candle-light,  of  a 
yellow  color,  that  looked  like  gold.  I  stooped  down  and  felt  of  it,  and  held 
my  candle  close  to  it,  and  worked  away  the  dirt  and  gravel,  and,  by  Jove,  it 
was  gold,  and  a  big  nugget  at  that,  so  large  that  I  could  only  say  to  Gin, 
who  was  stoping,  with  his  back  toward  me,  — 

"  Wee  catchie  muche  golde  at  laste,  Gin." 

It  was  my  pigeon  English,  and  he  turned  to  grin  at  my  efforts,  but  he 
saw  a  sight  that  made  his  almond-shaped  eyes  start  almost  out  of  his  head, 
for  there,  lying  at  my  feet,  was  a  nugget  that  seemed  to  exceed  in  size  all 
nuggets  ever  heard  of  before  or  since,  yet  it  was  not  half  uncovered. 

Gin  uttered  an  awful  howl  of  joy,  fell  on  his  knees  before  the  lump  of 
gold,  and  "  chin-chined  "  to  it,  just  as  he  would  have  done  to  Joss,  one  of 
his  heathen  gods. 

"  What  is  the  matter,  yer  hathen  ?  "  asked  Mike,  who  was  listening  at  the 
windlass,  and  did  not  know  what  to  make  of  the  tumult. 

We  did  not  return  any  answer,  for  we  were  scratching  away  the  dirt, 
with  naked  hands,  and  as  though  we  feared  the  nugget  would  vanish  from 
our  sight  unless  we  tore  it  from  its  long  resting  place,  and  held  it  firm. 

"  What  's  the  matter,  Mr.  Hangus  ?  "  again  cried  Mike.  "  Is  the  hathen 
hurtin'  of  yer  ?  " 

"  O  Mike,"  I.  said,  "  we  have  found  the  grandmother  of  all  nuggets. 
Don't  say  a  word,  but  come  clown  the  ladder  as  soon  as  you  can." 

"Whoop,  divil  a  word  will  J  say  at  all,  at  all.  The  grandmother  of  'em 
all,  did  yer  say  ?  O  murder  !  but  a'n't  that  noice  ?  " 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  221 


"  Stop  your  noise,  you  lunatic,"  I  shouted.  "  You  will  have  the  whole 
camp  on  top  of  us  if  you  keep  on  that  way." 

••  Xot  another  word  will  I  say,  sur,"  was  the  response.  "  The  grand- 
mother of  'em  all.  Poor  ould  grandmother.  Faith,  she  's  rested  in  her 
bed  a  long  time,  and  now  let  's  start  her  round  doing  good." 

Down  the  ladder  he  came,  and  found  us  on  our  knees,  scraping  away  the 
earth,  regardless  of  the  skin  and  nails  on  our  hands.  Mike  joined  in  with  a 
will,  and  the  three  of  us  soon  had  the  monster  exposed  to  view,  and  such  a 
sight  I  never  saw  before  or  since.  It  was  a  mass  of  bright,  shining  gold, 
as  large  as  a  ten-pound  shad,  and  about  the  same  form,  long  and  flat,  with 
head  and  tail  like  a  fish,  and  fins  on  sides  and  back,  with  a  few  white  specks 
of  quartz,  which  looked  like  scales.  It  was  a  singular  formation,  and  show- 
ed the  intense  heat  to  which  it  had  been  subjected  at  one  time,  when  the 
earth  was  convulsed  with  internal  fires,  and  an  upheaval  had  occurred 
which  produced  the  peculiar  metal  called  gold,  a  metal  that  men  have  wor- 
shiped, and  women  adored,  for  thousands  of  centuries,  and  will  be  rever- 
enced for  centuries  to  come,  unless  the  tail  of  a  comet  knocks  us  out  of 
time  to  eternity. 

We  sat  around  that  inanimate  nugget,  and  just  worshiped  it,  and  rubbed 
it  with  our  hands,  and  talked  to  it  as  though  it  had  been  a  living  being,  and 
then  we  lighted  our  pipes,  and  puffed  away  in  silence,  and  looked  at  each 
other  with  greedy  eyes,  as  if  we  feared  that  a  conspiracy  was  being  mentally 
formed  to  spirit  it  out  of  sight,  and  so  lose  the  results  of  our  lucky  find. 

"  Faith,"  said  Mike,  knocking  the  ashes  out  of  his  pipe,  and  getting  on 
his  feet,  "  I  thinks  that  if  we  stay  here  long  there  '11  be  murder  in  our 
hearts,  and  all  for  a  lump  of  gold.  Let  me  out  of  this  as  soon  as  yer  plase, 
for  I  want  no  more  thinkin'  in  this  dark  hole,  wid  the  hathen's  eyes  lookin' 
loike  a  tiger's,  and  his  hands  a  workin'  loike  a  kangaroo's  hind  legs,  when 
pushed  by  dogs,  and  its  back  is  agin  a  tra.  Up  I  go,  and  don't  stay  here 
any  longer,  Mr.  Hangus.  Go  wid  me,  and  let  the  hathen  load  it  in  the 
bucket." 

I  could  hardly  bear  to  part  company  with  my  treasure,  but  did,  after  a 
long  and  affectionate  glance,  and  climbed  up  the  ladder,  and  then  had  to 
drink  a  wineglass  of  brandy  to  steady  my  nerves,  and  quiet  my  imagination, 
for  I  was  all  of  a  perspiration,  and  as  weak  as  a  child.  But  we  gained 
strength  at  last,  and  slowly  hoisted  the  nugget  to  the  surface,  and  when  it 
was  safely  landed  Mike  could  no  longer  control  his  feelings,  but  let  them 
find  vent  in  one  general  howl  of  delight,  and  a  dance  that  would  have  driven 
wild  with  envy  half  the  boys  of  Tipperary. 


222  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

Mike's  yells  attracted  the  notice  of  all  the  people  at  work  on  the  adjoin- 
ing claims,  and  they  Hocked  to  our  place  in  crowds,  to  see  what  was  the 
trouble.  Their  sensations  when  they  saw  the  gold  found  vent  in  exclama- 
tions of  astonishment  and  delight,  and  some  few  of  envy,  but  the  majority 
of  the  miners,  carried  away  by  enthusiasm,  yelled  themselves  hoarse,  and 
the  shouts  sent  every  mounted  trap  to  our  claim  in  hot  haste,  thinking  that 
a  Chinese  war  had  again  broken  out,  and  that  the  celestials  were  being  mur- 
dered by  infuriated  miners. 

"Form  a  procession,  boys,"  shouted  one  man,  who  had  a  claim  which  I 
had  sold  him.  "  Fall  in,  lads.  We  '11  escort  this  nugget  around  the  camp, 
and  then  to  the  bank,"  but  just  at  that  moment  the  old  miner  put  in  an  ap- 
pearance. He  had  been  disturbed,  in  the  "  Miner's  Rest,"  by  the  noise,  and 
now  came,  as  fast  as  his  tottering  limbs  would  permit,  to  take  his  usual 
share  in  all  the  public  celebrations. 

"  Coves,  hall,"  he  shouted,  as  soon  as  he  learned  that  a  nugget  had 
been  found. 

"  Who  in  thunder  do  you  call  coves  ?  "  asked  one  brawny  miner,  and  he 
threw  a  decayed  orange  at  the  ancient  miner's  head,  but  it  missed  him,  and 
landed  full  on  the  flat  face  of  a  Chinaman,  much  to  his  astonishment  and 
indignation,  for  the  juice  made  him  look  more  yellow  than  ever. 

"  Veil,  then,  gents  hall,  if  that  suits  yer  better,  although  I  'as  seen  the 
time  ven  cove  vas  good  enough  for  me.  That  vos  ven  ve  found  the  '  Vel- 
come  Nugget,'  and,  as  I  'as  never  told  a  soul  about  it,  I  vill  jist  relate  hall 
the  circumstances  as  they  took  place,"  and  the  old  miner  mounted  on  a  bar- 
rel, the  better  to  get  off  his  speech, 'and  to  overlook  the  crowd.  "Veil, 
gents  hall,  ven  I  fust  seed  the  '  Velcome  Nugget '  I  vos  that  surprised  that 
I  could  n't  stand,  and  so  I  jist  sets  down  "  — 

"  As  you  do  now,"  some  one  said,  and  over  went  the  barrel,  and  the  min- 
er with  it,  and  he  was  heard  of  no  more  until  we  got  to  the  bank,  then  he 
once  more  came  to  the  front,  and  began  to  relate  his  story,  but  I  gave  him 
a  shilling,  and  a  piece  of  tobacco,  and  he  went  back  to  the  saloon,  and  told 
lies  all  the  evening,  to  the  intense  amusement  of  his  audience,  who  filled 
him  so  full  of  beer,  that  at  last  he  swore  his  Wei  ~:ome  Nugget  weighed  one 
thousand  pounds,  and  that  he  knew  where  there  was  another  just  like  it. 

"  Fall  in,  boys,"  cried  the  miner  who  was  disposed  to  boss  the  procession, 
and  who  was  really  a  clever  fellow.  "We  goes  with  the  nugget  to  the 
bank."  . 

The  suggestion  was  adopted.  The  miners  dropped  their  tools,  one  man 
ran  to  his  shanty,  and  brought  buck  a  drum,  another  had  a  banjo,  a  third  a 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  223 

trombone,  on  which  he  could  not  play,  yet  produced  the  most  hideous 
sounds  ever  heard  outside  of  the  Chinese  quarters:  some  got  hold  of  penny 
whistles,  and  blew  on  them  until  their  eyes  started  out  of  their  heads,  and 
one  fellow  seized  on  a  tin  kettle,  and  pounded  it  until  the  bottom  fell  in, 
which  he  did  not  mind  in  the  least,  but  banged  on  sides  and  every  available 
part,  until  the  whole  thing  fell  to  pieces.  Even  Mrs.  Higgins  came  over  to 
us,  and  sniffed,  and  said  that  if  I  was  not  immoral  she  would  kiss  me,  but 
that  her  reputation  would  not  surfer  such  a  strain,  and  so  she  must  decline, 
which  was  quite  good  on  her  part,  as'no  one  had  asked  for  the  chaste  em 
brace,  or  even  thought  of  it.  But  Mother  Higgins  was  a  peculiar  woman, 
and  was  not  so  much  offended  with  me  as  she  pretended.  I  believe  that 
she  would  have  married  me  had  I  pressed  her  to  accept  my  hand,  then  and 
there,  before  all  the  miners.  But  I  did  not. 

We  extemporized  a  litter,  on  which  the  nugget  was  placed,  and,  with 
Mike  and  Gin  at  the  handles,  and  I  at  the  head,  marched  through  Camp 
Reserve,  down  Sturt  Street,  up  Lydiard  Street,  through  the  principal  min- 
ing camps,  the  procession  constantly  receiving  additional  recruits,  until  at 
last  we  halted  in  front  of  the  branch  of  the  Oriental  Bank,  where  a  strong 
detatchment  of  police  kept  the  crowd  back,  and  prevented  it  from  overrun- 
ning the  outer  room  of  the  institution,  and  frightening  the  officials  out  of 
their  wits.  To  enable  all  to  see  the  nugget  the  miners  were  formed  in 
some  kind  of  order,  and  walked  past  the  treasure,  and  the  various  comments 
that  were  made  on  the  lump  of  gold  would  fill  a  book  of  the  size  of  BAL- 
LOU'S  MAGAZINE,  small  type. 

But  at  length  all  had  seen  the  "  Old  Grandmother,"  as  it  was  called,  and 
many  returned  to  their  labors,  while  others  lingered  around,  and  talked  over 
the  matter,  and  then  adjourned  to  ale-houses,  and  drank  more  beer  than 
was  good  for  their  heads  or  stomachs. 

Mike,  Gin,  and  myself  were  admitted  to  the  bank  with  the  nugget,  and 
waited  impatiently  to  see  it  tested,  and  to  know  its  value.  The  officers  did 
not  have  enough  weights,  and  were  compelled  to  send  to  the  branch  of  the 
bank  of  Australia,  and  borrow  all  the  troy  weights  it  owned,  before  the 
scales  would  balance,  and  then,  amid  a  silence  so  profound  that  it  was  pain- 
ful, the  cashier  read  off  the  figures, —  one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  pounds 
and  six  ounces,  or  fifteen  hundred  and  forty-two  ounces,  and  worth,  as  the 
bank  officer  stated,  the  snug  little  sum  of  near  thirty-one  thousand  dollars, 
and  he  said  that  he  would  allow  me  that  for  the  nugget,  and  take  it  without 
further  question-ing.  But  I  concluded,  as  it  was  the  largest  mass  of  gold 
that  had  ever  been  found  in  Australia,  except  one,  the  Welcome,  it  was 


224  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


worth  more  than  that  as  a  curiosity,  so  told  the  officers  to  lock  it  up  in  their 
vault,  and  I  would  think  the  matter  over,  and  decide  what  to  do  with  it  in 
the  course  of  a  day  or  two.  It  was  just  as  well  that  I  came  to  that  decision, 
for  a  consultation  of  the  bank  officials  and  a  few  gentlemen  took  place  im- 
mediately, and  then  I  was  offered  just  an  even  forty  thousand  dollars  for 
the  nugget,  and  I  accepted  the  bid  at  once,  received  my  money,  paid  it  back 
to  the  bank,  and  had  it  go  on  interest  with  the  rest. 

I  do  not  know  where  that  wonderful  nugget  is  now.  Those  who  pur- 
chased it  took  it  to  Melbourne,  claimed  that  they  had  dug  it  out  of  their 
mine,  and  gave  lectures  on  gold,  and  its  formation,  and  exhibited  the  treas- 
ure at  the  same  time.  The  admission  fee  was  one  shilling,  and  some  days 
the  owners  made  as  much  as  one  hundred  pounds  by  their  enterprise.  It 
was  carried  to  all  the  principal  places  in  Australia,  Sydney,  Gelong.  Ade- 
laide, Bathust,  Port  Phillip,  and  other  cities,  and  finally  sold  to  the  British 
Museum,  although  I  will  not  state  positively  that  such  was  the  case,  as  the 
sale  had  not  been  effected  when  I  left  the  country,  but  negotiatious  were 
being  carried  on  at  a  large  advance  from  what  I  received. 

I  began  to  feel  that  I  could  hold  my  head  up,  and  that  I  was  not  such  a 
bad  match  for  Mr.  Kebble white's  daughter,  after  all.  I  had  over  fifty 
thousand  dollars  in  the  bank,  and  it  was  growing  every  day,  at  the  rate  of 
ten  per  cent  interest,  beside  the  one  hundred  pounds  in  the  bank  at  Mel- 
bourne. Well,  fortune  had  favored  me,  and  1  resolved  that  my  dear,  good- 
hearted  mother  should  share  in  my  prosperity,  and  I  again  wrote  to  her  in 
full,  and  sent  another  draft,  for  a  thousand  dollars.  She  might  not  need  it, 
but  women  can  get  away  with  an  awful  sight  of  money,  if  they  set  their 
minds  seriously  on  the  subject,  and  give  their  whole  attention  to  it. 

"  I  tell  yer  what  it  is,  Mr.  Hangus,"  said  Mike  at  sapper,  "  yer  has  the 
divil's  own  luck,  and  it  's  me  opinion  that  things  will  come  around  all  roight 
in  time.  But  we  must  wait  wid  patience,  and  we  '11  sa  what  we  shall  sa. 
Now,  sur,  I  've  a  hidea." 

"  Hee  hase  a  hideae.  Bellie  goodie.  Wee  wille  heare  ite,"  said  Gin, 
who  had  a  little  fun  in  his  disposition,  even  if  he  was  a  Chinaman. 

"  Shut  up,  yer  hathen,  and  don't  interrupt  one  of  yer  Christian  betters 
when  he  spakes.  Now,  sur,  I  Ve  heard  that  when  yer  find  one  big  grand- 
mother of  a  nugget,  yer  is  apt  to  foind  two  or  tra  grandchildren  near  the  old 
lady,  to  kape  her  company  loike.  Begor,  I  belave  that  's  so,  and  what  if  we 
should  foind  more  nuggets  in  the  Bank-of-England  ?  " 

"  I  have  heard  such  a  report,  Mike,  but  it  don't  seem  as  though  luck 
could  strike  us  many  more  times." 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  22$ 


"  Meie  knowe  onie  Chinaman  whoe  makie  fortunee  in  onie  moone,"  cried 
Gin,  but  Mike  wanted  to  monopolize  the  conversation,  and  was  not  dis- 
posed to  listen  to  the  heathen  just  at  that  time. 

"  Kape  that  big  mouth  of  yern  shut  while  I  'm  spakin',  yer  hathen.  It 's 
wisdom  ye  '11  hear  fall  from  me  lips  if  yer  listen.  Now,  it 's  me  opinion  that 
luck  is  loike  an  Australian  freshet,  all  fuss  and  fury,  and  if  yer  swim  wid  it 
all  roight,  but  if  yer  try  to  stand  agin  it  down  yer  go.  It  is  soon  over,  but 
if  we  take  the  water  when  it  's  on  the  run  we  shall  land  on  a  bank,  or  in  a 
tra-top,  quite  safe.  We  is  swimmin'  wid  it  now,  and  whin  the  flood  is  done 
and  gone,  we  want  to  be  high  and  dry,  and  that  remoinds  me  that  I  'm  dry 
now,  so  pass  the  tay,  yer  hathen,  and  don't  talk  to  me  iny  more  about  yer 
Confusiones,  after  listenin'  to  me,  for  I  can  bate  all  the  China  philosophers 
that  iver  ate  rats,  or  roasted  poor  puppies,  and  sarved  'em  up  at  the  big 
fastes." 

"  Onie  liee  !  "  cried  the  Chinaman,  indignant  at  the  reflection  cast 

upon  his  people. 

"  Don't  yer  ate  shark-fins  ?  "  demanded  Mike,  in  a  lordly  way,  as  though 
he  could  floor  Gin  in  a  moment,  and  by  a  pertinent  question. 

"  Yese,  blerie  goodie,"  and  Gin  smacked  his  lips  at  the  recollection  of 
the  feasts  he  had  enjoyed. 

"And  don't  yer  ate  burd-nists  ?  "  persisted  Mike,  leading  the  heathen  on, 
in  a  quiet  manner. 

"  Yesie,  datie  nicie  alle  timie,"  was  the  confident  answer,  as  though  he 
knew  what  he  was  talking  about. 

"  And  now  answer  me  this,  yer  hathen,  and  none  of  yer  shyin'.off.  Don't 
yer  ate  the  dirty  slugs  what  is  found  on  the  sa-shore  ?' 

"  Datie  blerrie  goode  alle  timie.  Meie  cooke  somie  fore  youe,  if  youe 
gete,"  was  Gin's  kind  answer. 

"  Don't  insult  me,  yer  ignorant  barbarian,"  roared  Mike.  "I  'ma 
Christian,  and  ates  Christian  food,  and  drinks  Christian  whiskey  (whin  I  can 
get  it),  and  yer  should  know  that  min  loike  me  don't  take  to  rats  and  pup- 
pies the  same  as  the  hathen  of  yer  ould  country,  what  has  'em  on  their  ta- 
bles at  all  times  of  the  day,  cold  and  hot,  the  dirty  pigs." 

Gin  made  a  gesture  of  contempt  at  such  a  reflection  on  his  people,  but 
passed  the  tea,  and  let  Mike  talk  until  he  was  tired,  and  then  we  went  to 
bed  with  the  firm  resolve  to  find  those  grandchildren  nuggets,  if  they  were 
in  our  mine,  and  to  commence  next  day  the  laborious  search. 

But  the  grandchildren  were  bashful,  not  like  grandchildren  of  our  own 
flesh  and  blood,  but  such  as  are  made  of  precious  metal,  and  refused  to 


226  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

exhibit  themselves,  although  we  toiled  day  after  day,  in  searching  for  them. 
We  did  not  work  hard,  and  I  did  not  enter  the  mine  at  all,  unless  it  was  to 
give  directions  how  to  stope.  I  was  getting  above  such  common  labor,  but 
still  I  worked  the  windlass,  and  answered  all  questions  that  were  put  to  me 
by  wondering  visitors,  and  also  declined  all  offers  to  sell  the  Bank-of-Eng- 
land  Mine  at  a  price  that  would  have  made  me  think  I  was  rich  at  one  time. 

But  at  last  the  grandchild  arrived,  and  Gin  had  the  honor  of  welcoming 
the  little  stranger.  It  was  a  magnificent  specimen  of  gold,  nearly  pure,  and 
weighed  eighty-five  pounds,  or  one  thousand  and  twenty  ounces,  and  I  may 
as  well  say  that  I  sold  it  as  a  specimen  for  twenty-five  thousand  dollars,  and 
there  was  no  fuss  over  the  trade  either,  on  the  part  of  the  buyers. 

After  that  I  hired  Gin  Sling's  friend  to  come  and  work  for  me,  and  to 
tend  the  windlass,  and  to  do  the  cooking.  I  was  growing  rich,  and  did  not 
propose  to  hurt  myself  with  hard  labor.  I  saw  a  chance  for  quiet  specula- 
tion, once  in  a  while,  in  certain  articles,  and  I  did  not  fail  to  take  advantage 
of  every  turn  to  increase  my  wealth.  I  wanted  Florence,  and  I  supposed 
that  1  could  obtain  her  through  money,  and  it  looked  as  though  the  latter 
would  not  stand  in  my  way  unless  I  met  with  some  misfortune,  or  my  bank- 
should  collapse. 

In  the  mean  time  I  had  not  heard  a  word  from  Mr.  Murden,  or  from  Mel 
bourne.  The  parties  who  had  purchased  the  three  large  nuggets  claimed 
that  they  dug  them,  so  their  names  went  into  the  papers  instead  of  mine, 
and  thus  the  Kebblewhites  did  not  hear  from  me,  or  know  where  I  was. 
Once  in  a  while  I  would  receive  a  report  that  a  gang  of  bushrangers  were 
seen  near  a  Mr.  Smith's  run  and  house,  but  that  the  rascals  always  took  to 
the  bush  when  the  mounted  police  put  in  an  appearance,  and  so  escaped. 
As  the  fellows  never  came  nearer  than  ten  miles  of  Ballarat,  none  of  us 
paid  much  attention  to  them,  our  gold  being  safe,  and  sent  to  the  city  under 
armed  escort,  so  strong  that  the  bushrangers  did  not  dare  to  attack  it. 

The  wet  season  of  July  had  set  in,  but,  except  when  it  rained,  the  weather 
was  pleasant,  and  the  country  assumed  a  most  beautiful  appearance.  The 
trees  looked  greener,  the  grass  sprung  up  with  marvelous  rapidity,  the  wild 
flowers  covered  the  plain,  the  acacias  were  all  in  bloom,  and  filled  the  air 
with  perfume,  the  roses  were  sweet,  and  nodded  a  welcome  from  every  high- 
way, and  garden,  and  violets  and  tulips  struggled  for  supremacy  with  modest 
rivalry.  The  dry  water-courses  were  now  full  of  life,  and  the  streams  rolled 
and  tumbled  toward  the  Darling  or  the  Murray,  as  if  glad  of  the  chance  to 
seek  a  wider  sphere  of  usefulness  where  they  could  see  the  world,  and  mix 
with  it,  and  enjoy  life  by  giving  vitality  to  the  thirsty  soil  through  which 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  227 


they  passed,  blessing  every  one  in  their  onward  course,  and  at  last  losing  all 
individuality  by  mixing  with  the  deep-blue  ocean,  and  then  twisting  and 
turning  through  Bass's  Straits,  until  dashed  upon  the  bleak  shores  of  New 
Zealand,  or  Japan,  thence  rebounding,  and  crossing  the  Indian  Ocean,  or 
taking  a  look  at  the  China  Sea,  and  a  fierce  typhoon. 

On  the  tenth  day  of  July  we  found  the  third  nugget  we  had  looked  for  FO 
long.  The  last  of  the  grandchildren  came  to  light,  and  our  mining  was 
about  over.  It  was  near  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  when  Mike  came  upon 
it,  at  the  depth  of  forty-five  feet,  and  just  ten  feet,  by  stoping,  from  the  spot 
where  the  old  grandmother  had  been  found.  We  took  the  good  luck  quiet- 
ly, and  made  no  demonstration  whatever,  but  carried  our  precious  treasure 
to  the  bank,  and  had  it  weighed.  The  bank  officials  had  now  got  so  ac- 
customed to  my  appearance  with  a  nugget,  that  they  simply  said,  "  What ! 
another  ?  How  long  do  you  intend  to  keep  this  thing  up  ?  "  and  put  it  on 
the  scales,  and  called  out,  "  This  is  only  a  sixty-five-pound  nugget,''  and 
treated  it  almost  with  contempt.  But  it  weighed  seven  hundred  and  eighty 
ounces,  and  was  the  fourth  largest  nugget  ever  produced  from  the  mines  of 
Ballarat.  I  sold  it  for  eighteen  thousand  dollars,  as  a  specimen,  and  some 
one  proposed  to  give  it  to  the  lieutenant  governor,  and  the  scheme  would 
have  been  carried  into  effect,  I  think,  but  just  at  that  time  the  governor  gave 
a  soiree  one  evening,  and  promenaded  with  the  good-looking  wife  of  a  mer- 
chant of  Melbourne,  and  did  not  even  offer  his  arm  to  the  wife  of  the  gen- 
tleman who  wanted  to  make  the  presentation  speech.  She  was  old  and  fat, 
and  had  a  mustache  and  chin  whiskers,  and  the  handsome  lady  wras  beard- 
less, and  lively.  Perhaps  the  governor  never  knew  what  he  lost  for  the 
want  of  a  little  attention.  The  proposer,  early  the  next  morning,  after  the 
party,  in  a  wild  sort  of  manner,  as  though  he  had  passed  a  sleepless  night, 
withdrew  his  subscription,  and  would  give  no  reason  for  such  a  singular 
course,  but  he  was  properly  punished,  for  he  was  an  applicant  for  the  office 
of  the  ninety-ninth  readjuster  of  the  public  lands,  at  a  salary  of  five  hun- 
dred pounds,  and  nothing  to  do  except  hear  the  squatters  swear  once  a 
month,  that  they  were  ruined.  The  husband  of  the  handsome  lady  obtain- 
ed the  prize,  and  the  beauty  received  marked  attention  at  the  government 
house  until  the  opposition  said  some  hard  things  on  the  subject,  and  the  gov- 
ernor had  to  banish  her  to  a  less  exposed  place,  and  call  in  the  evening. 

The  same  day  that  the  last  nugget  was  found,  a  party  of  capitalists  com- 
bined to  purchase  the  Bank-of-England  Mine,  and  made  me  a  handsome 
offer,  but  I  said  that  I  wanted  five  thousand  pounds  for  the  mine,  and 
should  hold  it  until  1  obtained  that  sum.  Then  they  agreed  to  buy  it  at 


228  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

that  price,  if  I  would  take  some  stock,  but  I  did  not  care  for  stock  in  that 
mine,  although  there  was  a  bare  possibility  of  more  nuggets  being  found, 
but  I  considered  the  chances  a  little  weak  from  what  I  knew  of  mining  in 
Ballarat.  But,  after  a  long  and  spirited  conference,  I  sold  the  mine  for 
five  thousand  pounds,  or  twenty-five  thousand  dollars,  all  in  cash,  and  the 
papers  were  passed,  and  I  no  longer  had  a  home,  and  yet,  rude  and  humble 
as  it  was,  I  did  not  like  to  leave  it,  for  it  had  sheltered  me  so  many 
months,  and  there  I  had  experienced  the  only  happiness  1  had  known  in 
Australia,  the  happiness  of  thinking  that  at  some  distant  day  Florence 
would  acknowledge  me  as  her  husband,  and  love  me  with  a  little  of  the  de- 
votion that  I  felt  for  her. 

I  determined  to  keep  my  people  together  until  we  returned  to  Melbourne, 
for  all  had  been  faithful  and  true  to  me,  and  I  would  not  cast  them  off.  I 
could  afford  to  pay  them  their  wages,  even  if  they  were  not  employed,  for  I 
was  worth  near  two  hundred  thousand  dollars,  and  it  was  not  lying  idle  by 
any  means.  I  hired  quite  a  respectable  house,  and  had  Gin  and  his  friend, 
whose  name  was  Ah  Sugar,  to  look  after  my  welfare,  and  to  do  the  cook- 
ing, while  Mike  bossed  the  two,  and  made  himself  useful  in  various  ways. 

One  day  Gin  came  in,  his  face  looking  like  a  scraped  pumpkin,  with  a 
candle  in  it,  on  a  dark  night.  Such  as  country  boys  delight  in  at  the  fall  of 
the  year. 

"  Ah,  meie  seeie  bellie  putte  gallie,  and  shee  looke  at  meie,  and  laughie. 
Meie  dinkie  date  sheie  falle  in  lubie  wid  meie,"  he  said. 

"  Shut  up,  yer  hathen,"  roared  Mike.  "  What  would  a  gurl  fall  in  love 
wid  the  loikes  of  yer  for,  whin  there  's  a  buy  loike  me  around  ?  " 

I  went  to  the  window  to  see  the  lady  Gin  had  alluded  to,  and  the  sight  of 
her  face  almost  made  me  stagger,  for  there  sat  Florence,  looking  pale  and 
sad,  in  a  carriage  with  her  father,  and  Monsieur  Allete,  the  Frenchman. 
They  had  stopped  the  vehicle  opposite  my  house,  and  were  asking  some 
questions  of  a  gentleman  who  was  connected  with  one  of  the  banks.  The 
party  did  not  suspect  my  presence,  and  I  dodged  back  so  that  they  could 
not  see  me,  but  still  I  kept  my  eyes  fastened  on  the  dear,  sweet  face  of  my 
wife,  and  could  only,  by  a  powerful  effort,  prevent  crying  out,  and  rushing 
into  the  road  to  meet  her,  to  fall  down  on  my  knees,  and  beg  her  to  look 
kindly  upon  me,  if  but  for  a  moment.  But  no,  she  would  repulse  me,  and 
upbraid  me,  and  that  would  render  me  more  unhappy  than  ever,  for  my  love 
was  too  strong  to  be  met  with  indifference. 

How  handsome  she  was  as  she  sat  there  in  her  carriage,  apparently  in- 
different to  all  her  surroundings,  and  not  noting  the  questions  her  father 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  229 

was  asking  and  answering.  She  was  very  pale,  and  her  face  had  lost  some 
of  its  fullness,  but  there  was  the  same  clear-cut  features,  the  large  blue 
eyes,  and  the  wealth  ot  golden  hair  falling  over  neck  and  shoulders,  bur- 
nished by  the  bright  sun,  until  she  looked  like  some  sweet  saint  who  had 
visited  the  earth  for  the  purpose  of  showing  that  the  great  hereafter  was 
one  of  angels  and  perpetual  joy  and  beauty.  How  I  remembered  the  last  time 
I  had  seen  her,  on  her  bridal  eve,  and  the  manner  in  which  I  had  left  her. 

At  last  the  carriage  drove  away,  toward  the  best  hotel  in  the  place,  and  I 
lost  sight  of  the  vision,  and  all  seemed  dark  and  drear,  and  when  Gin  came 
to  call  me  to  dinner,  I  did  not  hear  him  until  he  had  spoken  several  times, 
and  then  astonished  him  by  saying  that  dinner  could  be  cleared  away,  for 
1  wanted  none.  He  thought  I  was  ill,  and  brought  me  a  pot  of  hot  tea,  but 
tea  could  not  cure  a  wounded  heart,  and  all  that  day  I  remained  in  my 
room,  and  tried  to  crush  out  the  love  that  was  devouring  me.  But  it  was 
useless,  and  at  dark  I  wandered  out,  and  toward  the  house  where  I  sup- 
posed Mr.  Kebblewhite  and  daughter  were  staying,  and  then  I  learned,  to 
my  great  surprise,  that  the  whole  party  had  started  homeward  at  sundown, 
intending  to  reach  Smith's  place,  and  pass  the  night. 

"  Good  Heaven,1'  I  thought,  "  if  they  should  be  attacked  by  bushrangers 
what  would  be  the  fate  of  Florence  ?  " 

I  turned  to  go  home,  and  start  in  pursuit,  when  a  man's  hand  was  laid  on 
my  arm,  and  a  voice  whispered,  — 

"  Vot  's  yer  little  game  now,  old  feller  ?  " 

"  Who  are  you  ?  "  I  demanded,  shaking  off  the  man's  hand,  and  fingering 
my  revolver. 

"  Oh,  don't  yer  know  a  cove  ven  yer  sees  'im,  cully  ?  Vot  is  yer  arter 
'ere?" 

By  the  light  from  a  saloon  I  saw  that  the  speaker  was  the  old  Quaker 
who  had  ridden  with  Mike  and  myself  on  our  trip  from  Melbourne. 

"  Say,"  whispered  the  Quaker,  and,  although  dressed  in  that  quiet  garb,  no 
longer  used  Quaker  language,  "vot  is  yer  doin'  'ere  at  this  time  o'  night? 
Vere  is  the  boys  ?  and  is  they  hall  ready  ?  " 

"  The  boys  are  all  right,"  I  answered  at  random,  and  anxious  to  learn 
some  news. 

"  Does  they  know  that  old  Kebblewhite  and  gal  vill  be  on  the  road  to- 
night ?  "  the  Quaker  asked. 

"Yes,  they  said  something  about  it.  Where  will  the  boys  meet  them?" 
I  demanded,  with  an  anxious  heart. 

"  Near  Smith's,  the  stockman's  place.     It  yill  be  a  rich  'aul,  now  I  tell 


230  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

!? 

yer  Twenty  thousand  pounds  ransom,  and  no  mistake,  and  then  ve  is  hoff 
to  other  climes.  I  'se  sent  a  man  to  tell  the  boys,  and  means  to  foller  in  a 
little  vhile.  Vill  yer  show  up  vid  us,  or  is  yer  on  another  lay  ?  " 

"  I  expect  to  be  with  you,"  I  answered,  and  most  assuredly  I  did  hope 
to  be  there. 

"  All  right,  my  friend.  I  thank  thee  for  thy  kindness  to  a  poor  old  man, 
who  wants  a  little  money  to  build  a  meeting-house  for  his  order  in  the  city. 
Heaven  will  bless  thee,  and  thy  friend,  Aramena  Meully,  will  remember 
thee  in  his  meditations,"  and  this  was  uttered  in  a  whining  tone,  because  a 
policeman  strolled  near  us,  and  was  listening  to  our  conversation  quite  at- 
tentively. 

The  change  was  sudden,  and  the  long,  lank  form,  with  the  straggly  arms, 
and  huge  feet,  shuffled  off,  but  I  could  not  help  looking  after  the  fellow,  and 
wondering  what  had  come  over  him  so  suddenly.  At  one  moment  he  had 
used  the  slang  of  the  lower  class,  and  the  next  the  pure  and  simple  words 
of  the  Quaker.  What  could  be  the  meaning  of  such  a  change  of  base  ? 
And  then  I  recalled  the  time  he  had  rode  with  Alike  and  myself  in  the  team, 
when  we  stopped  at  Webber's,  and  the  daughter  of  the  latter  had  mistaken 
me  for  her  lover,  and  kissed  me  to  the  indignant  surpise  of  her  father.  It 
also  flashed  across  my  brain  that  Mr.  Murden,  the  Chief  of  Police,  had 
spoken  of  meeting  a  Quaker  on  the  road,  that  Kitty  had  received  a  letter 
from  his  hands,  and  that  Mike  had  alluded  to  the  same  person,  when  lying 
in  wait,  on  the  run,  for  bushrangers,  and  that  all  attempts  to  capture  them, 
while  he  was  in  their  company,  had  signally  failed,  as  though  some  warning 
had  been  given  to  the  desperadoes  to  keep  them  out  of  the  way.  It  was 
singular,  to  say  the  least,  and  I  jumped  to  the  conclusion  that  the  Quaker 
was  a  sham,  but  the  policeman  merely  said,  — 

"  I  think  that  'ere  Quaker  is  a  rum  one,"  and  passed  on,  toward  the 
Chinese  quarters. 

It  was  evident  that  Mr.  Meully  had  mistaken  me  for  some  other  party, 
and  that  he  was  acting  two  parts  in  the  town  of  Ballarat,  where  he  had  been 
sent  as  a  spy. 

But  Florence  was  in  danger,  and  how  could  I  aid  her?  The  police  ?  No. 
The  superintendent  would  not  detail  a  man  in  my  behalf,  on  such  evidence 
as  I  presented.  I  must  act  with  what  force  I  could  rally  at  short  notice. 
Mike  and  my  two  Chinamen.  They  mus't  aid  me,  and  now  was  the  time  for 
them  to  show  their  friendship. 

I  ran  to  the  house,  and  entered  like  a  whirlwind,  to  the  astonishment  of 
all  three. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  231 

"  Mike,"  I  said,  "  my  dear  little  wife  is  in  clanger,  and  we  must  go  and 
fight  for  her." 

"  Yer  wife  is  it  ?  "  he  demanded,  starting  up. 

"  Yes,  Mike,"  breathless  with  haste. 

"  I  thought  she  was  in  the  city,  sure  I  did." 

"  Don't  ask  any  questions  now.  She  is  in  danger,  and  we  must  fight  to 
save  her  from  the  bushrangers." 

"  Foight  is  it?  Whoop  !  I  'm  the  man  for  that,  now  moind  yer,  and  I  '11 

bate  the  loife  out  of  all  the  bushrangers  in  this  divil's  own  country 

if  they  touch  a  hair  of  her  blessed  head.  Whoop  !  up  wid  yer,  yer  hathens, 
and  get  some  blood  in  yer  hearts,  for  the  master's  wife  is  in  danger,  and 
we  is  the  buys  that  '11  save  her.  Give  me  me  shillalah,  and  me  ould  mus- 
ket. I  've  got  'em,  and  now  I  'm  riddy.  Whoop !  come  on  yer  hathens. 
Amerikee,  Ould  Oireland,  and  the  land  of  rats  and  puppies  foriver  !  and  if 
yer  iver  felt  loike  havin'  a  real  good  foight,  now  is  the  time  to  show  it,  for 
Orish  Mike  will  lade  the  way,  and  yer  nade  not  fear  to  foller  him  !  Whoop  ! 
yer  hathens,  this  night  yer  shall  sa  how  one  of  the  real  ould  stock  from 
Limerick  can  handle  his  stick  and  his  gun,  for  the  sake  of  Mr.  Hangus's 
pretty  wife.  Hit  me,  somebody,  or  '11  bust !  " 


THERE  WAS   A   TREMENDOUS   REPORT  AT   MY   SIDE,   A    SHEET  OF   FLAME  AND  SMOKE. 

PART     X. 

A     DISAGREEABLE     NIGHT     RIDE.  —  FINDING     THE     TRAIL.  —  THE    BLACK 

TRACKER.  —  THROUGH  THE  BUSH.  —  THE  BUSHRANGERS'  CAMP. 

—  THE  SUDDEN  ATTACK.  —  A  HAND-TO-HAND  BATTLE. 

—  THE     CHINAMEN'S     BLOOD     DELIRIUM.  —  A 

VICTORY.  —  THE  HIDDEN  TREASURE.  — 

FLORENCE      RECOGNIZES     HER 

HUSBAND,  AND  IS  VERY 

FAR   FROM   BEING 
SATISFIED. 

T  T  7HILE  Mike  was  expressing  his  determination  to  smash  all  the  bush- 
*  *  rangers  in  Australia  into  everlasting  smithereens,  as  he  expressed  it, 
the  two  Chinamen  did  not  seem  enchanted  at  the  prospect  of  an  all-night's 
tramp,  and,  perhaps,  a  savage  fight  in  addition,  as  one  would  suppose. 
They  exchanged  a  few  words  with  each  other,  in  their  native  tongue,  and 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  233 

then  stared  at  Mike  as  if  under  the  impression  that  they  saw  a  first-class 
crank  before  them,  and,  as  he  continued  to  flourish  his  shillalah  in  close 
proximity  to  their  heads,  they  dodged  around  the  small  room,  and  uttered 
many  exclamations  of  wonderment  and  alarm. 

••  Mike,"  I  asked,  as  soon  as  he  became  calm,  "  do  you  know  where 
Smith's  run  is  ? " 

"  Sure,  I  do,  sur.  It 's  tin  miles  from  here,  and  old  Smith  was  a  lag 
once,  but  now  he  's  a  rich  man,  and  a  mimber  of  parliament,  and  the  divil 
knows  what,  and  he  has  tin  thousand  as  noice  acres  of  land  as  can  be  found 
in  the  country,  and  foive  thousand  shape,  and  lots  of  other  animiles.  I 
know  the  place  well.  It  's  off  en  I  've  been  thar." 

"Well,  we  must  start  for  his  run  at  once.  I  have  heard  that  a  gang  of 
bushrangers  is  on  the  road,  and  that  it  intends  to  capture  Mr.  Kebblewhite 
and  his  daughter  near  Smith's  run.  We  must  prevent  them." 

"Wid  all  me  heart,  sur;  but  I  don't  care  much  about  ould  Kebblewhite. 
Sure  it  would  n't  hurt  him  if  the  bushrangers  jist  laid  their  paws  on  him  for 
a  little  while." 

"  But,  remember,  he  is  the  father  of  my  wife,  and  I  must  do  all  that  I  can 
to  save  him." 

"  True  for  yer,  sur;  but  could  n't  yer  get  the  gurl  better  if  the  ould  one 
was  out  of  the  way  ?  " 

This  reasoning  of  Mike's  was  so  original  and  wicked,  that  I  did  not  care 
to  adopt  it ;  and  then  we  sat  down  for  a  moment,  and  laid  out  our  plans  for 
our  campaign,  the  Chinamen  listening  with  patience  and  calmness  as  we 
adopted  them.  We  thought  that  we  might  pick  up  a  mounted  trap  or  two 
on  the  way,  and  secure  their  aid,  but  of  that  there  was  no  certainty.  We 
should  have  to  depend  on  ourselves,  perhaps,  and  when  I  thought  of  Flor- 
ence, and  her  danger,  it  seemed  to  me  that  I  could  endure  any  risk,  and  en- 
counter any  odds,  if  I  could  but  show  my  love  for  her,  and  prove  to  her 
satisfaction  that  I  was  worthy  of  her  hand.  But,  while  I  was  so  eager  for 
the  encounter  that  I  expected,  I  did  not  intend  to  neglect  any  precautions 
that  a  prudent  man  would  be  likely  to  take.  I  knew  that  bushrangers 
fought  like  pirates,  with  a  halter  around  their  necks,  and  that  they  were 
desperate  men,  and  cruel  as  they  were  determined,  and  that  if  we  failed  to 
conquer  them  by  surprise,  they  would  show  us  no  quarter.  When  we  went 
forth  we  went  with  our  lives  in  our  hands,  and  expected  rough  treatment. 
Mike  had  no  fear  as  long  as  he  had  his  old  musket  and  club,  while  I  depend- 
ed on  my  heavy  revolver  and  rifle  to  do  some  powerful  work  in  case  of 
necessity. 


234  fhe  Belle  of  Australia. 


"  Gin,"  I  asked,  "  will  you  go  with  us,  or  stay  at  home  ?  " 

"Wee  goe,"  was  the  reply.  "  Chinaman  fightie  likie  debble  whene  hee 
noie  runie.  Yese,  wee  goie." 

"  What  do  you  want  to  fight  with,  Gin?  "  I  asked,  pleased  at  his  reply. 

The  Chinaman  took  from  a  box  two  enormous  knives,  curved  and  heavy, 
like  a  farmers  sickle,  the  backs  nearly  an  inch  thick,  while  the  edges  were 
keen  as  a  razor.  I  had  never  seen  the  weapons  before,  as  the  Chinaman  had 
kept  them  secreted,  as  they  did  all  of  their  valuables.  They  were  dreadful 
looking  instruments,  and  capable  of  taking  off  a  limb  at  a  blow,  and  as  clean 
as  a  surgeon's  knife,  in  the  hands  of  a  skillful  operator. 

"  Can  you  and  Sugar  use  pistols  ?  "  I  asked,  as  I  felt  of  the  edges  of  the 
knives. 

"Noie  wante  pistol.  Wee  usie  udder  dings  muche  bettie  pistol.  Hite 
bushrange  hee  thinke  debbie  gote  hee,"  and  Gin  Sling's  eyes  looked  per- 
fectly fiendish,  as  he  run  his  bony  fingers  over  the  edges  of  the  knives, 
and  then,  for  fear  they  were  not  sharp  enough  to  inflict  deadly  wounds  at 
the  first  blow,  produced  a  whetstone,  and  proceeded  to  put  a  little  more 
keenness  to  the  terrible  weapons. 

I  remembered  Mr.  Murden's  warning,  when  he  had  paid  my  hut  a  visit, 
about  the  time  I  first  arrived  at  the  mines,  and  how  he  had  cautioned  me 
that  the  Chinaman's  method  of  attack  was  not  an  open  one,  but  a  sudden 
assault,  with  axe  or  hatchet,  and  I  began  to  think  that  there  might  be  some 
truth  in  his  words,  for  here  had  I  resided  in  the  same  quarters  with  the 
two  celestials,  and  never  suspected  for  a  moment  that  they  owned  such 
formidable  and  "murderous-looking  knives  as  they  now  displayed  for  the 
first  time,  and  I  must  confess  I  felt  a  little  singular  for  a  moment,  as  I 
thought  how  many  times  the  Chinamen  might  have  murdered  me  while  I 
slept,  and  dropped  my  remains  down  a  deserted  shaft,  where  they  would 
never  have  been  discovered,  as  no  one  ever  entered  them,  and  time  and 
dust  filled  them  up,  or,  if  too  dangerous,  the  police  hired  some  one  to  shov- 
el in  some  of  the  refuse  matter  that  was  lying  around  the  camp,  for  when  a 
miner  deserted  a  shaft,  he  felt  too  much  contempt  for  the  mine  to  make  it 
safe,  and,  consequently,  accidents  were  of  frequent  occurrence,  especially 
when  drunken  men  attempted  to  reach  their  homes  by  short  cuts  across 
lots,  during  dark  nights. 

But  I  dismissed  the  hideous  idea  that  Gin  Slin-^  and  Ah  Sugar  would  be 
guilty  of  such  terrible  ingratitude  as  to  have  even  thought  of  taking  my  life, 
and  I  believe  to  this  day  that  I  am  right,  and  that  Mr.  Murden  was  wrong, 
although  he  would  never  acknowledge  that  such  was  the  case,  and  always 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  235 

considered  that  I  run  a  great  risk  in  consorting  with  the  celestials,  with  no 
one  but  Mike  as  a. companion,  but  I  never  heard  that  a  Chinaman  at  JBalla- 
rat  committed  deliberate  murder  of  a  white  man,  although  in  the  celestials' 
quarters  there  were  some  bloody  frays,  and  death  might  have  resulted  from 
them,  but  no  one  cared  enough  to  investigate  the  details,  and  even  the  po- 
lice turned  a  deaf  ear  to  many  reports  that  might  have  been  investigated, 
and  guilty  parties  punisbed. 

••  Gin,  do  you  know  how  to  use  those  knives,  in  case  we  have  a  lively 
fight  ?  "  I  asked,  and  the  Chinaman  smiled  a  terrible,  blood-curdling  smile, 
and  simply  said,  — 

"  Youe  seie.  Meie  cute  de  debble  oute  deme  bushrange,"  and  he  gave 
his  knife  a  swing  that  would  have  lopped  off  an  arm. 

I  did  not  p'ay  much  attention  to  this  boast  at  the  time,  but  remembered 
afterward,  for  I  was  preparing  my  arms,  and  seeing  that  they  were  care- 
fully loaded,  and  that  I  had  powder,  balls,  and  caps  in  abundance,  and  that 
my  bowie-knife  was  in  good  condition,  while  Mike  was  loading  his  beloved 
musket  with  a  miscellaneous  assortment  of  slugs,  fine  shot,  and  a  bullet  as 
large  as  a  crab-apple. 

"The  saints  help  'em  if  that  hits' 'em,"  said  Mike,  piously,  and  I  thought 
that  the  Lord  would  have  to  protect  the  one  at  the  breech  of  the  gun  as 
well,  and  I  mentally  resolved  to  get  behind  a  tree,  and  remain  there,  if  Mike 
should  persist  in  discharging  that  old  irfusket,  while  I  was  near  him.  To 
have  expressed  adoubt  of  the  goodness  of  that  gun  would  have  set  Mike 
wild  with  indignation,  so  I  remained  silent. 

As  the  roads  were  in  very  bad  order  from  the  heavy  teaming  and  rains, 
it  was  thought  best  to  hire  a  one-horse  covered  carriage,  so  that  we  could 
keep  out  of  sight,  and,  in  case  of  more  rain,  dry  at  the  same  time. 

I  sent  Mike  to  a  place  where  I  knew  such  a  carriage  could  be  obtained,  a 
sort  of  an  express  wagon,  and  then  set  the  Chinamen  to  work  putting  up 
luncheon  and  drink  in  baskets,  and,  by  the  time  we  had  packed  all  that  we 
needed,  Mike  was  at  the  door,  and  we  piled  into  the  cart,  after  locking  up 
our  premises,  and  were  off. 

Luckily  the  night  was  clear  and  crisp,  no  rain  having  fallen  for  a  day  or 
two,  but  we  had  to  proceed  at  a  walk  most  of  the  distance,  owing  to  the  gul- 
lies in  the  roads,  about  as  hard  traveling  as  could  be  found  outside  of  Cali- 
fornia in  the  wet  season.  We  met  but  few  teams,  as  all  had  hauled  up  for 
the  night,  but  once  in  a  while  we  encountered  a  lumbering  wagon,  drawn  by 
ten  and  twelve  yoke  of  oxen,  and  it  was  hard  work  for  even  such  a  string  as 
that  to  get  through  the  mud,  and  for  miles,  in  the  stillness  of  the  night,  we 


236  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


could  hear  the  sharp  snap  of  the  stockman's  peculiarly  formed  whip,  all 
lash,  and  very  little  handle,  and  then  the  fierce  roar  of  angry  voices,  and 
strong  profanity,  as  the  cattle  got  stalled  in  some  deeper  quagmire  than 
usual. 

Once  we  met  a  mounted  policeman,  and  asked  if  he  had  seen  Mr.  Kebble- 
white  and  daughter,  and  he  reported  that  he  had,  just  at  sunset,  and  that  no 
bushrangers  had  been  heard  of  for  several  days,  and  it  was  thought  that  the 
gang  had  separated,  and  gone  toward  the  Murray.  Only  two  persons  had 
been  found  murdered  in  the  last  week,  and  that  was  considered  good  evi- 
dence that  the  roads  were  more  fully  protected  than  ever. 

It  was  about  twelve  o'clock,  I  judged,  when  we  suddenly  pulled  up  to  ex- 
amine something  that  was  lying  on  the  side  of  the  road.  It  was  white 
enough  to  attract  attention,  and  required  investigation.  Mike  jumped  out, 
and  picked  up  the  object  that  had  caused  us  to  halt. 

"  It  is  nothin'  but  a  bit  of  rag,  sur,"  he  said,  in  a  disappointed  tone,  and 
was  about  to  throw  it  away. 

"  Let  me  see  what  kind  of  a  rag,  Mike.  Gin,  light  the  dark  lantern,  and 
we  will  take  a  look  at  it." 

The  lantern  was  lighted,  and  handed  to  me,  and  the  rag  proved  to  be  a 
white  linen  pocket  handkerchief,  and  in  one  corner  I  saw  the  name  of  Mon- 
sieur Allete.  1  jumped  from  the  wagon,  and  examined  the  ground  carefully, 
and  saw  that  my  worst  fears  were  realized.  There  were  tracks  of  the  car- 
riage drawn  by  two  horses,  which  I  had  noticed  that  very  day  in  front  of  my 
house,  and  which  had  contained  Florence,  her  father,  and  Monsieur  Allete, 
and  there  were  marks  of  horses'  feet,  as  though  mounted  men  had  suddenly 
dashed  from  the  scrub  and  bush,  and  taken  the  lady  and  gentlemen  by  sur- 
prise, for  there  were  no  evidences  of  a  struggle,  or  any  signs  of  bloodshed, 
in  the  thick  mud. 

"  Mike,"  I  said,  "  we  need  go  no  further  at  present.  The  villains  have 
captured  the  lady  and  her  father." 

"  Sure,  I  wish  'em  joy  of  ould  Kebblewhite.  They  '11  wish  they  'd  let 
him  alone,  for  a  maner  man  niver  lived." 

I  was  too  much  grieved  to  rebuke  this  fling  at  my  father-in-law,  for  all  my 
thoughts  were  of  Florence,  and  her  fate.  Could  I  save  her  ?  and  how  ? 

By  the  aid  of  the  lantern  I  was  enabled  to  study  out  the  whole  situation. 
The  bushrangers  had  waited  in  ambush  at  an  angle  of  the  road,  where  the 
scrub  was  thick,  and,  warned  by  some  one  who  had  kept  track  of  Mr.  Keb- 
blewhite's  movements,  had  made  a  dash,  stopped  the  team  in  the  dusk  of 
evening,  caused  the  occupants  to  dismount,  and  follow  the  robbers  into  the 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  23? 

forest.  I  could  see  that  there  were  six  horsemen  concerned  in  the  affair, 
that  the  animals  were  not  well  broken  to  such  work,  for  they  had  danced 
around,  and  splashed  the  mud  in  all  directions,  as  though  restless,  while  not 
one  of  the  horses  had  on  a  shoe,  a  sure  proof  that  they  had  been  taken  from 
some  stockman's  run,  in  a  half-wild  state.  I  could  even  see  the  place 
where  one  of  the  bushrangers  had  dismounted,  and  then  helped  Florence 
on  his  horse,  while  the  two  other  prisoners  had  been  compelled  to  step  into 
the  mud,  and  wade  to  solid  ground  the  best  way  they  could.  It  was  at  this 
point  the  Frenchman  had  dropped  his  handkerchief,  like  an  old  campaigner, 
in  hope  that  some  one  would  find  his  trail,  and  rescue  him.  This  he  had 
done  unobserved  by  his  captors,  or,  if  they  had  noticed  the  act,  they  had 
been  in  too  much  of  a  hurry  to  pay  any  attention  to  it.  It  is  quite  probable, 
however,  that  Monsieur  Allete  had  chosen  his  own  time,  for  an  old  and  ex- 
perienced bushranger  is  as  sharp  as  a  native  black  fellow,  and  takes  no 
great  risks  when  he  is  on  dangerous  ground,  or  thinks  the  traps  are  on  his 
trail. 

I  followed  the  track  of  the  horsemen  into  the  scrub,  and  saw  that  it  led 
to  the  thick  brush,  and  was  then  lost  to  view  in  the  darkness.  There  was 
nothing  to  do  but  wait,  and  I  need  not  say  how  heavily  the  time  dragged  by, 
nor  how  impatiently  I  wished  for  dawn.  At  least  a  dozen  times  I  was  deter- 
mined to  start  on  my  own  account,  and  seek  the  retreat  of  the  bushrangers, 
but  a  moment's  reflection  showed  how  useless  such  a  measure  would  be, 
and  how  helpless  I  must  be  in  a  forest  of  which  I  knew  almost  nothing.  I 
should  be  lost  and  bewildered  before  I  had  proceeded  a  mile,  unless  some 
one  undertook  the  task  of  acting  as  guide.  For  this  important  duty  I 
trusted  to  Mike,  as  he  said  we  were  on  part  of  Smith's  run,  and  that  he  had 
tracked  wild  cattle  in  this  very  bush,  and  thought  that  he  knew  enough  of 
it  to  prevent  going  far  astray.  But  that  did  not  trouble  him  so  much  as 
following  the  trail  of  the  robbers,  and  so  take  them  by  surprise,  and  before 
they  would  have  time  to  commit  any  of  their  devilish  acts,  for  he  did  not 
think  that  they  would  proceed  to  extremities  until  they  had  rested,  or  day- 
light appeared,  to  see  what  their  prisoners  were  like. 

If  the  bushrangers  were  in  search  of  money,  they  would  seek  it  on  the 
persons  of  their  prisoners,  and,  if  in  a  good-natured  mood,  let  them  escape 
without  bodily  injury,  as  they  had  been  known  to  do,  or  else  held  them  for 
a  heavy  ransom,  but  I  could  not  hope  that  the  gentle,  loving  little  Florence 
would  be  thus  kindly  treated.  Her  beauty  would  not  melt  the  hearts  of 
Slipper  Sam,  and  his  fiendish  companions.  A  price  was  set  on  their  heads, 
and  they  knew  it,  and  were  also  aware  that  one  crime  in  addition  would 


238  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

have  but  little  effect  on  the  verdict  of  a  jury  ;  that  death  was  just  as  sure  to 
end  their  careers,  as  though  they  saw  themselves  standing  under  a  halter, 
or  with  a  rope  adjusted  around  their  necks,  or  else  a  lucky  shot  from  the 
carbine  of  a  mounted  policeman  would  do  the  work,  for  no  quarter  was 
asked  for  or  expected  when  bushrangers  and  officers  of  the  law  met  at  close 
quarters.  It  was  for  Florence  I  feared,  and  I  would  undergo  all  risks  to 
save  her  from  a  fate  that  made  me  almost  wild  when  I  thought  of  it,  and 
more  than  once  that  dark  night  did  1  pray  mentally  for  her  welfare,  and  for 
daylight,  so  that  I  could  move  onward  in  my  search,  and  hope  of  a  speedy 
rescue. 

"  Oh,  if  I  only  had  a  black  feller  what  I  knowed,"  muttered  Mike.  "  He 
'd  take  us  to  the  spot  loike  a  burd,  and  not  turn  his  head  one  way  oranoother, 
but  land  us  ricrht  down  on  'em.  But  it  's  useless  to  wish,  for  the  feller  is 
now  slapin'  under  the  la  of  some  scrub,  and  will  not  open  his  dirty  eyes  till 
the  sun  is  up,  Many  is  the  good  turn  he  has  sarved  me,  and  many  is  the 
shape  what  was  all  broken  down  wid  the  rot,  has  I  gave  him  for  a  noice 
little  fade.  Ah,  if  wishes  would  do  any  good,  sure  it  's  in  Ould  Oireland 
I  'd  be  at  this  moment,  or  else  in  the  land  of  the  fra,  with  a  moighty  good 
glass  of  whiskey  in  one  hand,  and  a  bloomin'  wife  in  the  other.  But  cheer 
up,  Mr.  Hangus,  by  the  blessin'  of  Heaven  we  '11  come  out  all  roight  yet, 
and  the  darlin'  will  have  her  own  agin." 

Mike  stopped  his  harangue  to  light  his  pipe,  and,  after  listening  to  the 
heavy  breathing  of  the  two  Chinamen,  who  were  in  the  wagon  fast  asleep, 
he  was  about  to  resume  his  speculations,  when  a  dark,  thin,  naked  form 
glided  out  of  the  scrub,  and  said,  — 

"Ah!" 

"  Give  me  the  bull's-eye,  Mr.  Hangus,"  Mike  said,  "and  don't  fire  for  the 
loife  of  yer,  till  I  sa  what  kind  of  a  divil  it  is  that  is  near  me.  It  's  a  black 
feller  or  a  baste,  and  I  don't  know  which." 

As  I  opened  the  slide  of  the  lantern  the  light  fell  upon  a  naked  native, 
who  was  squatting  beside  Mike  on  the  damp  grass,  and  appeared  in  no  way 
startled  at  being  discovered. 

"  Holy  Moses  !  "  cried  the  Irishman,  "but  yer  have  only  to  spake  of  the 
divil,  and  he  appears  to  yer,  Mr.  Hangus.  I  'm  murdered  if  it  a'n't  the 
black  tracker  what  I  was  tellin'  yer  of.  The  thaef  of  the  world  must  have 
seen  me  face,  and  heard  me  swate  voice,  whin  I  loighted  a  match  for  me 
pipe,  and  come  straight  for  me,  for  the  vagabonds  can  sa  as  well  in  the 
dark  as  at  noonday,  although  yer  may  not  belave  it.  They  can  come  and 
go  loike  the  cats,  and  are  jist  as  quiet.  What  brings  yer  here,  yer  black 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  239 

son  of  the  divil  ?  "  asked  Mike,  turning  to  the  native,  and  speaking  thus 
pleasantly  to  him. 

"  Back,"  was  the  answer,  short  and  sweet. 

"  Ah,  I  thought  so.  Yer  would  smell  terbac  if  yer  was  miles  away,  and  a 
miner  was  smokin'  on  the  top  of  Mount  Muninyong.  Mr.  Hangus,  we 
must  hold  on  to  the  feller  till  daylight,  and  it 's  most  here.  We  can  do  it 
by  a  dose  of  rum,  and  numberless  pipes  of  tobacco.  He  'd  smoke  his  bless- 
ed head  off  if  he  had  the  chance,  and  niver  lave  yer  as  long  as  yer  gave  him 
a  pipeful.  It  's  in  luck  we  are,  if  the  thafe  will  only  stick  to  us,  and  do  his 
duty,  and  I  '11  break  his  ugly  head  if  he  don't,  and  that  's  no  idle  boast,  for 
their  skulls  is  loike  bull's,  and  nade  a  stout  club  and  strong  arm  to  crack 
'em.  If  yer  don't  belave  it,  take  ins  shillalah  and  try  it.  Fetch  him  a 
heavy  one  roight  on  the  crown  of  his  head,  and  ye  '11  sa  that  he  won't  so 
much  as  wink.  He  '11  think  yer  is  foolin'  wid  him,  or  else  crackin'  the 
bastises  that 's  in  his  hair.  They  is  the  divil's  own  for  standin'  up  under  a 
blow,  and  sure,  if  I  had  a  skull  loike  one  of  'em,  I  'd  be  the  bist  man  at  all 
the  wakes  and  fairs  in  Quid  Oireland,  and  care  nothin'  for  a  dozen  buys  at 
the  same  time.  Hit  him  a  good  one,  Mr.  Hangus,  and  it  's  complimented 
he  'd  be,  for  the  harder  yer  struck  the  better  he  'd  loike  yer,  and  have  the 
more  respect  for  the  power  of  yer  arm.  Faith,  1  'se  sane  two  big  fellers 
stand  up  afore  each  other,  and  fust  one  would  whack  over  the  head,  and 
thin  the  other,  a  dozen  blows  or  more  a  pace,  before  they  'd  yaild,  and  it 
would  n't  as  much  as  give  'em  a  headache,  and  only  a  few  drops  of  blood 
would  foller  the  wake  of  the  clubs.  We  used  to  match  'em  at  me  run,  to  sa 
the  fun,  for  it  made  us  think  of  ould  times  in  Oireland.  whin  we  was  at  the 
wakes  and  fairs,  and  every  buy  was  as  good  as  another,  until  he  was  proved 
not  to  be,  and  thin  he  'd  fall  back,  and  wait  till  he  was  ripe,  and  could  play 
wid  a  stick  loike  an  ould  hand.  Ah,  will,  thim  days  is  passed,  and  I  '11  sa 
'em  no  more,  but  it  was  innocent  reckeration  for  the  buys,  and  kept  'em  at 
home,  and  out  of  diviltry,  and  thin  the  whiskey  was  good,  and  a  man  could 
n't  drink  enough  to  hurt  him,  even  if  he  was  full  of  it,  and  I  wish  I  had 
some  now." 

I  handed  Mike  a  flask,  and  he  took  a  good  pull,  and  then  said,  — 

"And  where  was  I,  Mr.  Hangus?" 

"  Breaking  heads,  and  drinking  whiskey,"1  I  answered,  anxious  to  hear 
the  man  talk,  so  that  my  thoughts  might  be  diverted  from  the  painful  busi- 
ness of  the  night. 

"  True  for  yer,  sur.  Why,  for  a  dead  shape,  or  one  what  had  dieded  from 
some  disease,  yer  know,  tor  we  would  n't  give  noice  mutton  to  the  loikos  of 


240  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

thim  fellers,  what  prefers  their  mate  a  little  strong,  yer  know,  jist  so  it  \\on "t 
hold  togither,  and  is  all  tinder-loike  and  juicy,  I  have  sane  this  black  divil 
butt  wid  a  ram,  and  a  big  one  at  that,  and  the  ram  did  n't  hurt  him  if  he 
struck  fair,  headfust,  but  the  horned  brute  was  c"unnin'-loike,  and  would 
dodge  one  side,  and  hit  him  on  the  shoulder,  and  the  black  would  claim  a 
foul,  and  yer  'd  have  died  a-laughin'  to  see  'em  as  they  came  together,  and 
"rolled  over  and  over,  and  yer  could  n't  tell  which  was  the  most  surprised, 
the  ram  or  the  black.  Ah,  it  was  great  sport  for  us,  whin  we  were  a  little 
homesick-loike,  and  there  was  no  whiskey  within  fifty  miles,  and  the  ta  was 
out,  and  the  run  hot  enough  to  burn  the  brains  roight  out  of  yer,  and  the 
dingos  was  troublesome.  Yes,  that  used  to  cheer  us  up  a  bit,  attoimes,  and 
now,  Mr.  Hangus,  will  yer  jist  hit  him  a  stunner,  and  sa  that  I  spake  the 
truth,  and  pass  the  flask,  tor  the  ground  is  damp,  and  I  'm  feared  that  I  '11 
take  a  bit  of  cold,  settin'  here  on  the  grass." 

I  declined  the  invitation,  for  I  did  not  want  to  injure  the  poor  black,  yet 
it  is  quite  probable  that  if  I  had  banged  him  over  the  head  with  a  club  that 
I  should  not  have  hurt  him  in  the  least,  for  I  have  seen  them  receive  terrific 
blows  from  each  other,  and  never  flinch,  or  appear  in  the  least  damaged. 

I  gave  the  black  fellow  a  pipe,  and  a  glass  of  rum,  and  he  settled  down 
to  real  enjoyment,  while  Mike  by  words  and  gestures  endeavored  to  explain 
the  service  we  required.  But  the  fellow  smoked  on,  and  only  grunted  out  a 
few  English  words,  such  as  he  had  picked  up  among  the  stockmen,  and  I 
regret  to  say  that  most  of  his  vocabulary  consisted  of  expressions  that 
would  not  be  admitted  in  good  society,  and  in  the  presence  of  ladies  of  an 
aesthetic  and  sun-flower  turn  of  mind.  We  could  not  speak  his  tongue,  and 
even  Mike  acknowledged  (a  rare  thing  in  an  Irishman)  that  he  only  knew  a 
few  words,  and  those  not  of  a  scriptural  nature. 

But  the  black  fellow  smoked,  and  held  out  his  pipe  for  a  fresh  supply  of 
tobacco,  and  swallowed  the  smoke,  and  strangled  under  its  influence,  and 
gasped  and  groaned,  and  altogether  had  a  terrible  time  of  it,  but  all  the 
same  he  enjoyed  every  moment,  and  every  whiff,  and  seemed  to  express  by 
his  actions  that  if  he  ever  had  a  boss  evening  it  was  when  he  fell  in  with 
such  sincere  friends  as  we  had  proved  ourselves  to  be.  And  then  he  would 
motion  for  more  rum,  but  that  was  a  prohibited  article,  after  the  first  glass, 
as  we  wanted  him  sober  and  not  drunk,  and,  while  the  black  can  endure 
much  tobacco,  he  is  not  steady  under  a  deep  cargo  of  rum. 

At  last  we  saw  glimpses  of  daylight,  and  very  thankful  we  were,  for  I  had 
not  been  able  to  restrain  my  impatience,  but  had  paced  back  and  forth  in 
the  damp  grass,  and  listened  to  all  the  animal  sounds  that  abounded  in  the 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  241 

deep  and  dark  forest.  At  last  the  dingos  gave  a  final  howl  of  disgust  at  the 
appearance  of  light,  and  went  to  bed,  and  then  the  parrots  and  parroquets 
commenced  grumbling,  and  soon  hundreds  of  birds  were  skimming  along 
over  the  tree-tops,  in  search  of  that  early  worm,  which  economical  fathers 
are  continually  holding  up  to  their  sons  and  daughters  as  good,  wise  lessons, 
in  season  and  out  of  season,  just  as  though  human  beings  wanted  to  get  out 
of  warm  beds  in  the  winter  for  the  sake  of  giving  point  to  a  very  old  and 
very  stupid  moral,  which  no  one  obeys  unless  obliged  to  by  the  stern  law  of 
necessity. 

In  fifteen  minutes  it  was  light  enough  to  see  a  trail  even  in  the  dark 
woods,  and  by  this  time  the  black  fellow  had  smoked  so  much^tobacco  that 
I  feafed  his  stomach  would  turn,  and  revolt  at  the  sight  of  a  pipe,  but  it  did 
not,  for  he  wanted  more  when  I  insisted  that  we  should  be  on  the  move.  I 
could  no  longer  control  my  impatience.  The  Chinamen  were  awakened, 
and  yawned,  and  looked  as  though  they  had  been  kneeling  before  one  of 
their  gods  all  night,  and  he  had  not  answered  their  prayers  to  their  perfect 
satisfaction,  while  Mike,  after  a  short  pull  at  a  wicker  flask,  said  that  he 
was  all  right,  and  ready  to  fight  at  a  moment's  notice. 

•'  Ask  the  black  fellow  if  he  will  follow  the  trail  for  us,  in  case  I  pay  well 
for  the  trouble,  —  a  bottle  of  rum,  and  a  pound  of  real  plug  tobacco,"  I  said, 
as  I  knew  that  such  gifts  would  be  considered  a  fortune  by  the  native. 

And  now  commenced  some  of  the  most  extraordinary  pantomime  that  was 
ever  witnessed  on  the  stage  of  real  life.  Mike  used  tongue,  arms,  eyes, 
hands,  and  feet  in  the  effort  to  make  the  native  understand  what  was 
wanted. 

"  Do  yer  sa  this  now  ? "  said  Mike,  with  a  gesture  of  the  thumb  and 

fingers.  "  We  go  follie  now,  right  off,  catch bushrangers.  Do  yer 

understand  phat  I  'm  sayin'  to  yer,  black  divil  that  yer  are  ?  " 

Mike  run  away  with  the  same  idea  that  many  other  people  do  who  endeav- 
or to  converse  with  one  that  does  not  speak  or  understand  English.  He 
thought  that  if  he  shouted  loud  enough,  and  broke  his  words  into  little 
pieces,  and  scattered  them  all  around  the  person  whom  he  addressed,  there 
was  no  doubt  but  that  a  perfect  understanding  could  be  arrived  at,  and  if 
not,  it  was  no  fault  of  the  speaker. 

"  Rum,  yer  divil,"  yelled  Mike,  "  and  bacce,  bacce,  bacce.  Sa,  a  big  pace. 
All  yer." 

The  native  grunted,  and  reached  out  his  hand  for  the  prizes,  but  he  was 
not  destined  to  secure  them  until  he  had  performed  his  part  of  the  con- 
tract, and  at  last,  by  showing  the  black  fellow  the  footprints  of  the  horses, 


242  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

and  the  trail  in  the  scrub,  he  comprehended  the  work  that  was  required  of 
him,  and  signified  that  he  would  do  what  was  desired,  but  he  must  have  a 
drink  as  earnest  money,  and  that  he  received,  and  then  coolly  going  to  a 
piece  of  scrub  took  from  it  a  spear,  boomerang,  and  waddy,  weapons  which 
he  hid  the  night  before,  for  fear  we  might  consider  his  visit  hostile  if  he  ap- 
peared before  us  armed. 

We  took  the  horse  from  the  wagon,  and  hitched  him  to  a  tree,  and  drew 
the  vehicle  to  the  cover  of  some  high  scrub,  and,  once  more  examining  our 
arms  to  see  that  they  were  in  good  order,  followed  the  black,  who,  with 
head  down,  and  trailing  spear,  trotted  along,  neither  turning  his  face  to 
the  right  nor  left,  never  puzzled  or  confused,  and  just  as  confident  of  finding 
the  resting  place,  of  the  bushrangers,  as  a  business  man,  who  lives  in  New 
York,  is  confident  of  meeting  his  merchant  neighbors  at  the  nearest  free 
lunch  at  one  o'clock  every  day  except  Sunday. 

On  we  went,  through  scrub,  and  in  some  places  where  the  trees  were 
large,  but  not  dense,  the  native  leading,  I  close  at  his  heels,  and  the  two 
Chinamen  in  a  dog-trot,  which  they  can  keep  up  for  hours,  swinging  their 
ugly-looking  knives,  and  having  all  the  appearance  of  two  men  who  wished 
that  they  were  well  out  of  the  affair,  yet  did  not  feel  like  turning  and  run- 
ning for  it. 

For  an  hour  we  tramped  and  toiled  along,  as  noiselessly  as  possible, 
avoiding  dry  sticks,  and  rotten  logs,  yet  never  uttering  a  word  above  a 
whisper,  until  at  last  the  black  tracker  raised  his  hand,  and  signified  cau- 
tion, and  then  we  knew  that  the  trail  was  getting  warm,  and  that  we  were 
not  far  from  the  camp  of  the  bushrangers. 

"  Mike,"  I  whispered,  "  if  we  come  to  a  brush,  and  I  am  sure  we  shall,  do 
you  think  we  can  depend  upon  the  Chinamen  ?  " 

"  Divil  a  bit  do  I  know,  yer  honor.  If  they  was  pin'd  up,  and  had  to 
foight,  it  's  hathens  they  'd  be  wid  their  bloody  sharp  knives,  a-choppin' 
and  a-slashin'  the  loif  out  of  a  body,  and  hittin'  a  man  whin  he  was  down, 
and  losin'  their  heads  as  they  hacked  a  feller  all  to  paces.  It 's  demons 
they  is  whin  they  can't  run,  but  for  a  rale  square  foight  I  suspicions  'em, 
I  'm  afeared." 

"  And  the  native  —  will  he  lend  us  a  hand,  do  you  think,  Mike  ?  He  looks 
like  a  stout  fellow." 

"  Divil  a  bit,  yer  honor.  As  soon  as  he  pints  out  the  thaves  of  the  world, 
an.l  gets  his  rum  and  bacca,  he  '11  return  to  the  wagon,  and  stale  all  we  left 
thare,  and  it  's  not  much  he  '11  git,  for  I  hid  phat  we  did  n't  bring  wid  us. 
But  it  's  his  way,  and  there  's  no  help  for  it." 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  243 

"  So  we  must  depend  on  ourselves,  Mike  ?  " 

"  That  's  about  the  soize  of  it,  yer  honor,  and  we  '11  make  the  thaves 
squale  if  we  gets  at  'em,  so  don't  be  so  sorrowful-loike.  Sure,  we  is  good 
for  any  six  of  'em,  and  lave  out  the  Chinamin  entirely.  Jf  they  helps,  so 
much  the  better,  and  if  they  does  not,  we  '11  do  the  best  we  can.  If  I  gets 
a  fair  crack  at  'em  wid  me  musket,  I  '11  blow  the  divil  out  of  'em,  now  be 
sure  of  that." 

"  Hist,"  said  the  black  tracker,  and  he  pointed  with  his  spear  to  a  bit  of 
scrub,  and  just  beyond  it  we  saw  a  light  smoke  ascending,  and  mingling  in 
the  morning  vapors  that  were  arising  from  the  bushes  and  swamps. 

44  Bushers,"  he  uttered,  that  being  about  as  near  as  he  could  pronounce 
bushrangers,  and  then  held  out  his  hands  for  the  prizes. 

"  The  hathen  will  go  no  furder,"  whispered  Mike.  "  He  ?s  not  disposed 
to  risk  the  noomber  of  his  mess  for  us,  and  who  can  blame  him  ?  Give  him 
the  rum  and  bacca,  and  let  him  go.  He  's  kept  his  word,  and  we  '11  kape 
ours." 

I  relieved  Gin  of  one  of  his  flasks,  and  gave  it  to  the  tracker,  and  also  a 
plug  of  tobacco,  and,  with  no  more  concern  than  if  we  had  never  met,  the 
black  turned,  and  retraced  his  steps,  and  did  not  even  look  behind  to  see  if 
we  had  moved  from  the  place  where  we  had  halted.  Bushrangers  or 
miners,  it  made  no  difference  to  him.  One  was  as  friendly  as  the  other,  al- 
though, perhaps,  as  a  general  thing  the  robbers  were  a  little  more  kind 
when  they  wanted  a  favor,  and  very  ugly  when  they  did  not  require  one. 

It  must  not  be  supposed  that  we  were  standing  in  an  open  space  when 
this  conference  was  going  on.  That  would  have  been  very  poor  leader- 
ship, for  we  did  not  know  how  many  pickets  were  lying  in  the  bushes,  and 
ready  to  give  an  alarm  if  we  advanced.  No,  we  stood  under  the  shelter  of 
a  thick  she-oak,  and  did  not  move  from  it  until  the  black  was  out  of  sight, 
and  we  had  matured  our  plans. 

Those  plans  were  soon  made.  We  were  to  crawl  on  our  hands  and 
knees,  difficult  as  the  task  might  be,  through  the  scrub  and  bushes,  until 
we  could  get  within  range  of  the  ruffians,  if  ruffians  were  really  there,  as  we 
supposed  they  must  be,  and  then  let  events  take  their  course,  governed  en- 
tirely by  circumstances,  but  under  no  consideration  were  we  to  retreat  if  we 
saw  that  Florence  was  a  prisoner.  That  was  settled  quite  firmly  in  my 
mind,  and  in  the  mind  of  Mike,  while  the  Chinamen  said  but  little,  but  lis- 
tened hard  enough  to  make  up  for  lack  of  conversational  powers. 

After  these  preliminary  measures,  we  dropped  on  our  hands  and  knees, 
and  crawled,  Indian-like,  toward  the  smoke,  and  our  movements  appeared  to 


244 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


excite  the  utmost  astonishment  in  a  couple  of  laughing-jackass  birds,  that 
sat  on  a  cedar-tree,  and  derided  us  in  no  measured  terms  for  our  snake-like 
contortions,  while  an  old-man  kangaroo,  all  covered  with  scars,  and  driven 
from  his  harem  by  some  younger  member  of  the  family,  looked  at  us  in 
such  amazement  that  he  took  a  few  playful  leaps  in  our  direction,  and  then 
stood  still,  and  dared  us  to  follow  him,  or  even  to  fight  him  in  a  regular 
stand-up  battle,  in  which  he  should  have  the  privilege  of  using  his  hind 
legs  if  necessary. 


THE   OLD-MAN    KANGAROO. 


But  we  paid  no  attention  to  birds  or  animal,  crawling  on  as  carefully  as 
we  could,  and  at  last  gained  the  scrub,  went  through  it,  and  then  saw  that 
we  were  close  to  a  burnt  clearing,  and  that  there  was  a  fire  near  the  centre, 
and  around  that  fire  sat  six  of  the  most  desperate  ruffians  that  I  ever  saw, 
outside  of  a  penitentiary  or  a  slave-ship.  They  were  all  busily  engaged  in 
cooking  their  breakfast,  as  the  smoke  and  smell  of  burned  mutton  tainted  the 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  24$ 

morning  air  while  on  the  ground,  near  the  fire,  was  the  carcass  of  a  fat 
sheep,  showing  Smith's  run  had  been  raided  on  the  evening  previous,  to 
furnish  supper  and  breakfast  for  his  troublesome  neighbors,  the  bushrangers, 
and  as  one  scoundrel  would  cut  off  a  strip  of  flesh,  he  would  place  it  on  a 
stick,  and  broil  it  on  the  coals,  and,  when  about  half  done,  would  tear  it 
from  the  skewer  with  his  strong  teeth,  and  let  blood  and  fat  and  burned  flesh 
mingle  with  the  juices  of  the  meat,  and  run  down  his  face,  thus  rendering  it 
more  repulsive  than  ever.  Dirtier  it  could  not  be.  All  were  engaged  in  the 
occupation  of  eating,  and  the  sheep  was  fast  disappearing  under  their  com- 
bined attack^ :  but  their  savage  onslaught  on  the  mutton  did  not  occupy  my 
time  and  attention.  I  was  looking  for  Florence,  and  at  last  saw  her  under 
the  shelter  of  an  acacia-bush.  There  was  some  regard  for  her  comfort,  for  she 
was  seated  on  a  blanket,  and  on  a  leaf  for  a  plate  was  a  huge  piece  of  half- 
broiled  mutton,  sprinkled  here  and  there  with  ashes  and  coals  so  as  to  give 
it  piquancy  and  relish  for  a  delicate  young  lady's  appetite,  but  as  Florence 
did  not  appear  to  have  hunger  for  a  sauce,  the  mutton  remained  untouched, 
much  to  the  delight  of  a  vulture,  that  perched  over  her  head,  and  hoped  he 
would  have  a  chance  at  that  which  was  so  coldly  rejected. 

As  soon  as  I  saw  that  Florence  was  alive,  and  to  all  appearances  unin- 
jured, I  glanced  around  to  see  if  Mr.  Kebblewhite  and  Monsieur  Allete 
were  near,  and  found  that  the  two  men  were  very  securely  lashed  to  trees, 
hands  and  feet,  and  even  necks,  so  that  they  could  not  turn  their  bodies  or 
heads,  and  yet  they  had  not  been  gagged,  a  strong  threat  being  suffcient  to 
keep  them  still,  if  disposed  to  make  a  noise,  which  they  were  not,  as  they 
knew  it  would  be  useless. 

More  wretched-looking  beings  than  Mr.  Kebblewhite  and  the  Frenchman 
it  would  have  been  difficult  to  find  all  through  Australia,  just  at  that  mo- 
ment. .  They  had  been  tied  to  the  trees  all  night,  they  had  been  dragged 
through  the  bush  and  mud,  they  had  had  no  chance  to  wash,  and  the  insects 
had  preyed  on  their  faces  and  hands  until  they  looked  like  patients  from  a 
small-pox  hospital,  wandering  around  in  a  delirium  of  fever.  The  French- 
man could  give  vent  to  his  sufferings  in  a  language  that  the  robbers  did 
not  understand,  and  so  cared  nothing  about,  while  every  time  Mr.  Kebble- 
white spoke  in  tones  of  remonstrance,  he  was  emphatically  told  to  "shut 
up."  and  the  order  was  enforced  by  anything  that  happened  to  be  near  at 
hand,  a  bone,  a  club,  and  once  a  quart  tin  pot,  that  a  bushranger  had  just 
drunk  out  of,  and,  therefore,  had  no  further  use  for  it. 

All  this  time,  while  I  was  scanning  the  camp,  and  locating  the  people 
who  occupied  it,  I  did  not  lose  sight  of  Florence,  who  sat  with  bowed  head, 


246  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

trying  to  forget  the  misery  and  degradation  of  her  situation,  she,  the  Coun- 
tess of  Afton,  as  she  supposed,  the  petted  daughter  of  a  rich  and  influential 
Melbourne  merchant,  yesterday  traveling  in  her  father's  private  carriage, 
and  indifferent  to  all  of  her  surroundings,  every  wish  of  her  heart  gratified, 
her  slightest  will  law  in  her  household,  and  now  the  prize  of  the  most  hard- 
ened ruffian  who  should  claim  her,  and  back  h!s  claim  with  determination 
and  strength.  Good  Heaven  !  what  a  change,  and  no  wonder  she  sat  upon 
the  blanket,  to  protect  her  petite  form  from  the  damp  earth,  with  her  fair 
head  bowed  upon  her  little  white  hands,  and  wished  for  death,  or  a  speedy 
deliverance  from  her  miserable  condition. 

How  I  pitied  her,  and  longed  to  take  her  in  my  arms,  and  kiss  away  the 
tears  that  were  falling  from  her  eyes,  and  to  tell  her  that  her  husband  would 
share  her  fate,  welcoming  death  if  it  was  by  her  side.  But  I  knew  how  use- 
less it  would  be,  and  that  I  should  neither  save  Florence  nor  myself  by  such 
a  rash  course,  and  once,  when  it  seemed  as  though  I  must  make  a  dash  for 
the  clearing,  and  encounter  all  six  of  the  ruffians,  Mike  laid  his  hand  on  my 
arm,  and  warned  me  that  I  was  getting  too  excited  for  the  leader  of  an  ex- 
pedition where  coolness  and  presence  of  mind  were  required. 

"Wait,  my  buy,"  he  whispered,  "  and  don't  yer  do  it,  for  the  loif  of  yer. 
It  's  death  and  damnation  to  the  rist  of  us.  The  toime  will  come  if  yer  but 
kape  cool,  and  wait  till  I  get  me  ould  musket  in  place,  to  blow  the  bloody 
heads  off  of  the  spalpeens.  Look  at  'em  now,  a'n't  they  beauties,  wid  their 
darty  faces,  and  their  darty  paws  ?  " 

"  If  I  was  only  free,  and  had  a  pistol  in  one  hand,  and  a  sabre  in  the  oth- 
er, I  'd  make  short  work  of  some  of  these  dogs,"  Monsieur  Allete  muttered 
in  his  native  tongue,  but  loud  enough  for  us  to  hear.  "  The  beasts,  the 
cowardly  ruffians  !  How  I  'd  like  to  punish  them  !  " 

"  Keep  quiet,  Johnny  Crapeau,"  said  one  of  the  bushrangers,  a  powerful 
man,  with  enormous  shoulders,  and  a  face  as  dark  as  a  Spaniard's.  "  Don't 
get  excited,  you  frog-eater,  for  it  won't  do  any  good,  and  it  would  be  a  little 
more  respectful  to  the  company  if  you  would  use  English  when  you  wish  to 
express  your  feeling." 

The  speaker  I  supposed  to  be  Black  Dick,  whom  I  had  heard  of  several 
times,  for  whose  head  a  reward  of  one  thousand  pounds  was  offered  by  gov- 
ernment, dead  or  alive.  He  had  been  a  broker's  clerk,  in  London,  and 
transported  for  life,  for  forgeries.  He  had  escaped  to  the  bush  some  two 
years  before,  and  had  led  a  most  eventful  life,  defying  capture,  and  gather- 
ing a  band  of  men  around  him  as  desperate  as  himself,  and  committed  mur- 
ders and  robberies  in  every  section  of  the  country. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  24? 

"  i  '11  give  five  thousands  pounds  if  yer  vill  release  us,  and  let  us  go  free," 
Mr.  Kebblewhite  said.  "  Only  think,  five  thousand  pounds  for  our  freedom, 
and  the  money  shall  be  paid  to  yer  jist  as  soon  as  I  can  reach  Melbourne." 

"  We  knows  a  trick  that  is  better  than  that,"  remarked  another  bush- 
ranger. "  We  means  to  have  more  money,  and  we  has  it  in  our  hands 
afore  you  gets  out  of  this,  now  I  tell  you." 

"How  much?"  demanded  Mr.  Kebblewhite,  while  Florence  raised  her 
white  face,  and  listened  with  eager  interest  to  the  conversation. 

"Twenty  thousand  pounds,  and  not  a  penny  less,"  was  the  reply,  and  a 
shout  of  laughter  was  the  response  to  a  deep  groan  from  the  father,  as  he 
made  a  rueful  face,  but  said,  — 

"  Yer  shall  'ave  it,  but  no  wiolence  to  us,  and  safety  to  my  child." 

"  Oh,  the  kid  is  safe  enough.  We  '11  take  care  that  no  harm  comes  to  her. 
We  all  loves  her  like  a  sister,  don't  we,  boys  ?  " 

"  We  does,"  roared  the  wretches,  and  then  one  clapped  Black  Dick  on 
the  back,  and  laughed,  as  though  some  terrible  meaning  was  concealed 
beneath  the  words. 

I  made  a  movement  to  spring  into  the  clearing,  and  begin  the  struggle 
that  I  knew  must  commence,  but  Mike  laid  his  hand  on  my  arm,  and  held 
me  back,  and  whispered,  — 

"  Don't  spile  all,  Mr.  Hangus,  wid  yer  fiery  temper,  and  dasire  to  foight. 
Sure  I  'm  not  the  one  to  hold  back  whin  the  blows  fall  thick  and  fast,  but 
we  must  kape  cool,  —  hit  'em  unaware  loike.  There  is  time  enough  for  us,  if 
we  has  to  wait  a  full  hour.  All  that  I  ax  of  yer  is  to  kape  quiet,  'cos  yer  'd 
miss  'em  now,  yer  shake  so  much,  as  though  yer  had  the  ager.  Be  guided 
by  Oirish  Mike,  and  sa  the  rare  gineralship  he  '11  show  yer  whin  the  time 
comes." 

I  yielded  to  his  pressure,  and  listened  to  some  of  the  bushrangers'  con- 
versation, although  it  made  me  almost  wild  with  rage  and  fear  that  I  should 
fail  in  saving  the  dear  little  girl  who  looked  so  wretched. 

"  Look  a  here,"  growled  one  of  the  scoundrels,  whom  I  supposed  was  the 
second  leader  of  the  gang,  Slipper  Sam,  so  called  because  he  had  a  peculiar 
habit  of  slipping  out  of  every  prison  in  which  he  had  been  confined,  and 
from  the  custody  of  the  mounted  police,  whenever  arrested,  "yer  don't 
mean  to  say  that  we  divides  all  the  prize  money  quite  even,  and  that  one 
cove  is  to  have  the  gal  and  his  share  of  the  dosh  too  ?  I  don't  stand  that, 
now  I  tell  yer.  The  cove  what  takes  the  gal  don't  get  the  same  as  the  rest 
of  us.  That  's  fair  and  ship-shape.  Give  me  the  gal,  and  five  thousand 
pounds,  or  Dick  can  take  her,  and  the  same  sum." 


24%  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  Who  put  up  this  job?  "  asked  Black  Dick,  turning  to  his  companion  in 
crime,  and  speaking  in  a  tone  that  was  a  little  threatening. 

".Yer  did  n't,"  retorted  Slipper  Sam,  in  a  sneering  way.  "  I  did  n't,  and 
yer  did  n't.  The  Quaker  planned  the  whole  thing,  and  yer  know  it.  He  is 
willing  to  take  a  thousand  puns  for  his  share,  and  he  shall  have  it,  and  Jack 
shall  have  his  thDusand,  and  the  other  two  mates  shall  have  their  thousand 
each,  and  the  cove  what  takes  the  gal  must  pay  for  her.  I  '11  stand  no  non- 
sense about  this  thing.  A  cove  can't  have  all  the  luxuries,  and  the  dosh  at 
the  same  time." 

For  a  moment  I  hoped  the  bushrangers  would  quarrel  among  themselves, 
and  fight  for  the  possession  of  Florence,  as  such  robbers  have  done  ever 
since  men  were  vile  enough  to  steal  and  murder,  but  the  Quaker  saw  the 
storm  brewing,  and  allayed  it  by  a  few  words. 

"  Don't  let  thy  evil  passions  -arise,  my  dear  friends,"  he  said.  "  We  will 
divide  the  money,  and  then  put  the  girl  up  at  auction,  and  the  highest  bid- 
der shall  take  her,  or  we  will  all  ask  her  to  favor  us  with  her  smiles  and 
kisses." 

A  roar  of  laughter  greeted  this  rude  speech,  and  I  could  hardly  control 
my  indignation,  but  just  at  that  moment,  away  off  in  the  direction  of  the 
hills,  J  heard  the  deep  and  powerful  bay  of  a  blood-hound. 

"  It  's  Smith's  dog,"  whispered  Mike.  "  I  know  the  brute  well,  and  he  's 
as  big  as  a  calf,  and  as  ugly  as  one  of  them  murderin'  villains.  What  is  up, 
I  wonder?  The  baste  is  kept  chained  day  and  night,  onliss  there  's 
trouble." 

The  bushrangers  heard  the  deep  bay  of  the  Siberian  blood-hound,  and  it 
seemed  to  surprise  them,  for  two  of  them  started  up,  and  listened  very  at- 
tentively. 

"  Now,  Mike,  give  them  Hail  Columbia,"  I  whispered.  "  We  can  wait  no 
longer.  Aim  well,  and  fire." 

I  discharged  my  rifle,  and  just  at  the  same  instant  there  was  a  tremen- 
dous roar  at  my  side,  a  sheet  of  flame  and  smoke,  a  concussion  that  brought 
down  upon  our  heads  dead  leaves  and  branches  of  the  trees  under  which  we 
were  concealed,  and  then  1  caught  a  glimpse  of  Mike  revolving  like  a  circus 
acrobat,  cart-wheel  fashion,  all  legs  and  arms,  in  the  air,  as  though  seeking 
to  separate  from  the  body,  and  thus  he  whirled  over  and  over  until  he 
brought  up  against  a  tree,  and,  finally,  stopped,  and  then  I  heard  a  voice, 
and  saw  a  face  blackened  with  powder,  and  the  voice  said,  — 

"  Bedad,  there  's  not  in  Ould  Oireland,  or  any  other  country,  a  gun  that 
can  shoot  loike  that,  now  do  yer  moind  ? "  and  then  I  turned,  and  saw  one 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


of  the  bushrangers  throw  up  his  arms,  and  pitch  headlong  into  the  fire,  while 
the  other,  who  was  standing  up  at  the  time  of  the  discharge,  presented  the 
dreadful  appearance  of  a  man  whose  face  was  entirely  shot  away,  and  who 
was  groping  with  outstretched  hands  for  something  to  support  his  form, 
which  swayed  and  reeled  like  a  person  on  a  ship  in  a  storm,  before  he  has 
got  his  sea-legs  on,  then,  finding  no  support  to  grasp,  fell  all  in  a  heap,  and 
rolled  over  and  over,  yelling  with  pain  and  rage,  blinded  and  bleeding, 
and  no  longer  capable  of  offering  resistance. 

There  was  surprise  and  consternation  in  the  camp  of  the  bushrangers, 
and  the  Quaker,  a  long,  slim  man,  with  thin  arms,  and  immense  hands  and 
feet,  dressed  in  gray,  yelled  out,  — 

"  The  traps  are  on  us.  Each  man  for  himself.  I  'm  off,  and  advise  the 
rest  to  move." 

He  started  to  run,  and,  as  he  did  so,  I  gave  him  a  shot  with  another 
barrel  of  my  revolving  rifle,  and  down  he  tumbled  with  a  broken  leg,  and  a 
howl  of  pain. 

"  Stand  firm,  boys,"  roared  Black  Dick.  "  We  '11  beat  them  at  their  own 
game.  Fire  a  shot  into  the  bushes,  and  I  '11  take  care  of  the  woman." 

He  discharged  his  pistol,  as  he  spoke,  in  our  direction,  and  then,  with 
the  smoking  weapon  in  his  grasp,  dashed  toward  Florence,  waving  a  long 
knife  in  his  left  hand. 

The  two  remaining  bushrangers  poured  a  discharge  of  buck-shot  in  the 
direction  we  were  supposed  to  be,  but,  as  their  aim  was  hasty,  and  we  were 
concealed,  no  one  was  injured.  I  glanced  over  my  shoulder  to  see  how  the 
Chinamen  stood  the  fire,  and,  to  my  consternation  and  deep  disgust,  saw 
that  they  had  disappeared,  struck  their  colors,  and  fled  at  the  first  fire,  and 
only  Mike  and  I  were  left  to  continue  the  fight  with  the  three  uninjured 
robbers. 

I  should  not  have  minded  this  if  my  rifle  had  not  failed  me  just  at  that 
moment,  and  when  I  most  needed  it.  The  lock  had  become  disarranged 
by  the  falling  splinters  from  the  trees,  and  one  piece  had  lodged  in  the  re- 
volving part,  and  remained  there,  and  no  effort  that  I  could  make  seemed 
capable  of  dislodging  it,  and  restoring  the  gun  to  its  usefulness.  With  a 
malediction  I  threw  the  rifle  aside,  and  drew  my  revolver,  and  then,  looking 
UD,  saw  that  Black  Dick  was  near  Florence,  and  that  he  was  flourishing  a 
knife,  and  shouting,  — 

"  If  you  fire  again  I  swear  to  you  that  I  '11  kill  the  girl,  and  all  the  prison- 
ers. Come  out  of  the  bush,  and  give  yourselves  up,  or  I  '11  cut  her  throat 
from  ear  to  ear.'1 


250  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

He  raised  his  knife  as  he  spoke,  and  there  was  the  look  of  a  demon  on 
his  face,  as  he  stood  waiting  to  see  if  his  request  was  complied  with  immedi- 
ately. 

"  Fire  one  more  shot,"  he  yelled,  "and  my  knife  shall  drink  this  girl's 
blood ;  even  if  it  is  with  my  last  breath  I  '11  kill  her.  Come  out  of  the 
scrub,  and  let  us  see  who  is  the  strongest,  and  then  we  '11  settle  the  matter." 

"  Wait  till  I  load  my  ould  Ebenazar,"  Mike  said,  "  and  then  I  '11  blow 
him  to  smithereens,  and  be  hanged  to  him  for  a  bloody  villain." 

"  Dog,"  I  yelled,  jumping  from  the  bush,  and  rushing  toward  him,  "  touch 
but  a  hair  of  that  lady's  head,  and  you  shall  be  torn  to  pieces ! " 

"  Hullo  !  what  traitor  and  spy  have  we  here  ?  "  Black  Dick  asked.  "  Give 
him  a  shot,  boys,  and  then  1 111  cut  his  comb  at  my  leisure.  There  's  only 
two  of  them,  and  they  are  half  whipped  already." 

Luckily  for  me  the  bushrangers  had  not  had  time  to  load  their  guns,  or  it 
would  have  gone  hard  with  me,  but  one  of  them  raised  a  pistol,  and  I  gave 
him  a  shot  as  I  passed,  and  it  must  have  touched  his  hand,  for  he  dropped 
the  weapon,  and  uttered  a  howl,  and  the  next  instant  I  heard  Florence 
scream,  and  the  bushranger  had  his  hand  on  the  golden  hair  of  her  head, 
but,  as  I  ran  toward  him,  he  did  not  strike  the  fatal  blow,  but  hurled  the 
long,  keen  knife  toward  me,  and,  as  it  whizzed  through  the  air,  it  struck  me 
on  the  arm  by  which  I  held  my  revolver,  and  I  felt  the  point  penetrate  the 
flesh,  and  then  the  knife  hung  quivering  in  my  shirt-sleeve  for  a  moment, 
and  dropped  to  the  ground  at  my  feet.  I  stopped  for  a  second  to  pick  it  up, 
and,  almost  before  I  had  recovered  an  upright  position,  the  huge  bush- 
ranger was  upon  me,  clasping  my  arms,  and  holding  them  to  my  side  as 
though  he  possessed  the  strength  of  half  a  dozen  ordinary  men,  and,  as  I 
felt  his  hot  breath  on  my  face,  and  saw  his  fierce  eyes  blazing  with  rage  and 
triumph,  I  knew  that  my  chance  for  life  was  a  slim  one  unless  I  could  pre- 
vent my  opponent  from  hurling  me  to  the  ground,  and  stamping  out  my  ex- 
istence by  means  of  his  heavy  boots. 

"  Now, you,  I  have  you  fast,"  the  bushranger  said,  and  as  he 

spoke  he  raised  me  in  his  arms,  and  sought  to  dash  me  to  the  earth,  but  I 
avoided  the  fall,  and  bounded  on  my  feet,  and  did  not  spend  my  strength  in 
resisting  his  terrible  efforts  to  put  an  end  to  my  existence. 

Three  times  Black  Dick  raised  me  in  the  air  as  easily  as  he  would  have 
lifted  a  baby,  and  three  times  I  avoided  the  deadly  fall,  and  clung  to  him 
with  the  desperate  hope  that  I  could  use  my  pistol  or  knife,  but  I  was  held 
in  too  firm  a  clasp  to  work  with  either,  but  once,  while  I  was  swinging  in 
the  air,  I  did  manage  to  give  him  a  little  thrust  with  the  knife,  but  it  only 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  251 


acted  on  him  as  a  spur  to  a  fiery  horse,  rendering  him  more  fierce  and  terri- 
ble than  ever. 

"  You  would,  hey  ?  "  Black  Dick  growled,  the  white  foam  falling  from  his 
lips,  as  he  felt  the  point  of  the  knife.  "  I  '11  pay  you  for  that,  and  other 
things,  my  lad,  be  assured,"  and  once  more  he  strove  to  dash  me  to  the 
ground,  but,  failing  in  this,  exerted  all  of  his  immense  strength,  and  clasped 
me  in  his  arms  in  a  desperate  attempt  to  crush  in  ribs  and  chest,  and  thus 
end  the  contest. 

One  hug  he  gave  me,  and  it  seemed  as  if  all  the  blood  in  my  body  rushed 
to  my  head,  and  that  it  would  burst  with  the  terrible  pressure.  I  think  that 
if  it  had  not  been  for  Florence  I  should  have  wilted  under  that  anaconda 
embrace,  but  the  thought  of  her  sufferings  and  danger  saved  me,  and  as  his 
arms  relaxed  I  once  more  breathed  freely,  and  the  blood  receded  from  my 
brain,  and  I  was  ready  for  another  trial. 

"  Jack,"  shouted  Black  Dick,  "  come  here  and  give  the  spy  a  clip  with 
your  knife.  He  is  a  hard  egg  to  crack,  and  I  will  waste  no  more  time  with 
him.  I  wanted  to  take  him  alive,  and  then  burn  him  at  my  leisure.  But  I 
can't  fool  around  here  all  day." 

"  I  '11  see  you  ,  and  then  I  won't,"  was  the  sullen  response.  "  I 

don't  lift  a  hand  agin  that  lad  for  all  the  gold  in  the  country." 

This  was  a  cheering  assertion,  and  Black  Dick  uttered  a  curse  so  horri- 
ble, that  it  does  not  seem  possible  the  English  language  could  be  tortured 
into  such  blasphemy. 

"  Whoop  !  I  'm  comin',  Mr.  Hangus,  with  ould  Ebenazar  loaded  nearly 
half  full,  and  I  '11  finish  the  bastes  in  no  time,"  I  heard  Mike  shout,  for,  so 
particular  was  he  about  that  old  kicking,  worthless  musket,  he  had  stopped 
to  load  it,  and  nearly  forgotten  that  I  was  close  to  death's  door  by  his  de- 
lay. He  thought  that  I  was  strong  enough  to  take  care  of  myself  in  a 
scrimmage,  where  a  hand-to-hand  encounter  was  necessary,  but  he  had  for- 
gotten that  I  was  almost  a  boy,  and  Black  Dick  a  grown  giant,  with  sineus 
of  steel. 

"  Don't  fire,  mate,  I  hist  the  white  flag,"  shouted  the  man  Dick  had  called 
Jack,  and  who  had  refused  to  aid  the  leader. 

"  All  roight,  throw  up  yer  arms,  and  stand  at  rist,"  responed  Mike,  and 
then  my  opponent  saw  that  the  day  had  gone  against  him,  and  that  if  he 
would  live  to  fight  another  time  he  must  get  out  of  our  power,  and  take  to 
the  bush,  and  hide  in  the  scrub,  until  the  excitement  and  pursuit  had  sub- 
sided. 

For  a  final  effort  he  sought  to  bend  me  back  until  my  spine  should  yield 


252  The  Belle  of  Aush.ilia. 

to  his  brutal  force,  but,  just  as  he  commenced  the  task,  his  eyes  on  Mike, 
who  was  covering  his  prisoners,  and  preventing  their  escape,  I  saw  two 
nearly  nude  dark  bodies,  glistening  with  oil  and  perspiration,  glide  from  the 
bush  like  spirits  of  the  night,  armed  with  the  terrible,  heavy  knives  I  had 
seen  for  the  first  time  at  my  shanty  the  night  before. 

They  were  my  Chinamen,  and  they  meant  business,  as  I  could  tell  by  the 
angry  gleam  of  their  tigerish  eyes,  no  longer  half-closed  and  sleepy  with 
opium,  but  open  to  their  widest  extent,  like  a  cat's  when  stealing  on  a  bird. 

Without  a  word  or  a  sound,  bare-footed,  and  only  wide  trousers  on,  their 
bodies  annointed  with  oil,  or  fat,  so  that  an  opponent  could  not  seize  and 
hold  them,  in  case  of  a  hand-to-hand  contest,  the  Chinamen  glided  toward 
Black  Dick,  whose  back  was  toward  them,  and  all  unnware  of  the  danger  in 
his  rear. 

"Look  out,  Dick,"  yelled  the  fellow  whose  leg*I  had  broken  with  a  rifle- 
ball,  and  who  was  lying  near  us,  watching  the  fight  with  much  eagerness, 
even  if  he  did  suffer  intense  pain.  "  The  coves  in  the  rear  is  arter  yer." 

But  Dick  was  too  much  occupied  in  attempting  to  escape  to  hear  the 
warning,  and,  while  I  was  suffering  severely,  and  weakening  every  moment 
from  the  loss  of  blood,  for  my  arm  was  bleeding  badly,  I  would  not  give  the 
ruffian  the  satisfaction  of  asking  for  quarter,  which  I  knew  1  could  not  get, 
nor  yet  release  the  bushranger  so  that  he  could  escape,  by  sudden  bounds, 
to  the  bush,  and  thus  end  all  pursuit.  But,  as  the  fellow  continued  to  exert 
his  immense  strength,  and  to  bend  me  back,  slowly  but  surely,  expecting 
every  moment  to  bear  my  bones  crack,  I  shouted,  — 

"  Shoot  the  scoundrel,  Mike." 

"  Bedad,  but  I  will,  and  which  one  shall  I  pop  at  ?  " 

"  Don't  fire  at  me,"  roared  the  prisoner  called  Jack.  "  I  Ve  got  my  hands 
up,  and  give  in." 

"  Then,  bedad,  I  '11  have  to  have  a  hack  at  the  uther,"  I  heard  Mike  mut- 
ter. "  But  if  I  do  phat  will  become  of  me  prisoners  ?  Will  yer  kape  quiet, 
yer  blaggards,  if  1  take  me  eyes  off  of  yer  ?  " 

But  help  was  arriving  in  another  quarter.  The  two  Chinamen  glided  to- 
ward us,  carefully,  and  with  timid  steps,  as  if  fearful  Black  Dick  would  turn 
on  them,  and  catch  them  in  a  trap,  but,  as  they  saw  that  his  attention  was 
fully  occupied,  they  quickened  their  paces,  and,  with  a  sudden  bound, 
crouching  and  like  the  spring  of  an  animal,  they  jumped  upon  the  bush- 
ranger, and  commenced  hacking  him  over  head,  neck,  arms,  and  shoulders, 
blows  raining  down  upon  the  brute  like  the  wings  of  "  mill  during  a  stiff 
gale. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  253 

Flesii  and  blood  cou.ld  not  stand  such  an  assault  as  that,  and  not  turn  and 
defend  itself  if  possible.  Dick  released  his  hold  of  me,  and  turned,  and,  as 
he  did  so,  I  placed  my  revolver  to  Irs  back,  and  fired.  There  was  a  loud 
report,  a  splash  of  blood  through  the  thin  shirt,  and  the  bushranger  plunged 
forward,  only  to  be  received  on  the  edges  of  the  sharp  knives,  which  the 
Chinamen  continued  to  wield,  as  though  crazed  and  dazed  by  the  smell  of 
powder  and  blood.  They  did  not  mind  where  or  how  they  struck,  but  hack- 
ed and  hewed,  cut  and  slashed,  without  mercy,  or,  seemingly,  without  know- 
ing what  they  were  doing.  White  foam  flew  from  their  lips,  like  that  from 
an  enraged  boar,  or  mad  dog ;  their  eyes  snapped  and  sparkled  as  those  of  a 
dangerous  and  murderous  lunatic,  and  their  yellow  faces  worked  and  writhed 
as  if  convulsed  by  a  fit  of  epilepsy. 

Black  Dick,  in  spite  of  his  wounds,  struck  out  with  his  hands,  but  the 
blow  was  weak  and  uncertain,  and,  even  as  the  poor  wretch  made  an  effort 
to  die  fighting,  like  the  desperate  being  that  he  was,  one  heavy  blow  of  a 
knife  struck  his  wrist,  and  the  right  hand  fell  to  the  ground,  and  a  large 
stream  of  blood  gushed  from  the  terrible  wound,  and  then  the  bold  bush- 
ranger, the  terror  of  miners  and  police  for  years,  fell  to  the  earth,  an  oath 
on  his  lips,  and  defiance  still  in  his  heart,  and,  before  he  could  do  more  than 
utter  one  bitter  curse,  death  came  to  his  relief.  In  the  mean  time  the  mad 
Chinamen  did  not  relinquish  their  dreadful  work,  but  continued  to  foam  and 
rage,  and  hack  at  the  dead  body,  as  though  they  feared  it  would  resume  life, 
and  punish  them  for  their  ferocity,  and,  even  when  I  called  upon  Gin  Sling 
to  stay  his  hand,  and  Ah  Sugar  to  cease  his  butchery,  they  paid  no  attention 
to  me,  while  stout-hearted  Mike,  who  had  removed  his  gaze  from  the  pris- 
oners, to  see  the  fight,  uttered  an  exclamation  of  horror  and  deep  disgust,  and 
shouted,  — 

"  Stop  'em,  yer  honor.  The  hathens  is  blood  crazy,  and  don't  know  what 
they  is  doin'.  They  '11  cut  the  body  into  mince-mate  afore  they  quits,  onliss 
they  comes  out  of  the  spell.  Spake  to  'em,  yer  honor,  or  they  '11  turn  on  us, 
for  they  don't  know  friends  from  foes  whin  they  is  crazed  with  the  smill  of 
blood." 

I  darted  forward,  caught  the  two  Chinamen  by  their  pig-tails,  and  jerked 
their  heads  backward,  and  then  dodged  one  side,  and  it  was  well  that  I  did, 
for  the  crazy  devils  turned  in  my  direction  as  savagely  as  if  a  new  foe  had 
come  upon  them,  and,  with  uplifted  knives,  hacked  and  slashed  at  me. 

"  Gin,"  I  shouted,  as  I  put  my  pistol  on  a  level  with  his  ear,  "  drop  your 
knife,  or  I  '11  blow  the  head  off  your  shoulders.  Don't  you  know  me  ? 
Hold  still  for  a  moment,  and  listen  to  reason.  Oh,  would  you  ?  "  as  Ah 


254  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

Sugar  made  a  lunge  at  me  with  his  heavy  knife,  and  missed  me,  owing  to 
his  crazy  blindness,  and  my  watchfulness. 

I  struck  the  fellow  so  heavy  a  blo\\  with  my  revolver  barrel  that  he  fell 
all  in  a  heap,  bleeding  like  a  pig  that  has  just  received  the  coup  degiace 
from  the  hands  of  a  skillful  butcher. 

"  Hit  him  agin,"  roared  Mike.  "  He  a'n't  got  no  friends  whin  he  's  on  a 
rampage." 

But  there  was  no  occasion  to  do  so.  Gin  Sling  saw  his  countryman  fall, 
—  and  he  lay  where  he  fell  without  moving,  —  and,  as  his  eyes  cleared,  and 
the  foam  stopped  issuing  from  his  lips,  he  recognized  me,  and  made  no  offer 
to  renew  the  attack.  He  rubbed  his  forehead,  and  let  the  knife  drop  from 
his  hand. 

"  Alle  bloode  aforie  meie  eyes,"  he  muttered,  and  then  tumbled  down  in  a 
dead  faint  by  the  side  of  his  friend. 

Now  I  was  free  to  turn  my  attention  to  our  prisoners,  and  those  whom  we 
had  rescued.  Thank  Heaven,  Florence  was  in  a  swoon,  and  knew  nothing 
of  what  was  going  on,  and  had  not  witnessed  the  terrible  hacking  of  flesh 
and  blood,  which  the  Chinamen  had  indulged  in.  I  wanted  to  run  to  her 
assistance,  but  did  not  dare  to,  for  fear  that,  in  spite  of  all  my  exertions  in 
her  behalf,  she  would  spurn  my  advances,  and  think  I  desired  to  plead  with 
her  on  account  of  my  services.  No,  I  would  not  go  near  her  just  at  pres- 
ent. I  wou'd  wait  and  see  how  she  acted  when  she  revived ;  but  I  hasten- 
ed to  Mr.  Kebblewhite  and  the  Frenchman,  and  cut  their  bonds,  and  set 
them  free. 

"  Young  man,"  said  my  father-in-law,  "  I  think  yer  made  a  bloody  good 
fight  of  it,  and  I  'd  like  to  'ave  'ad  a  'and  vid  yer.  Yer  did  veil,  and  I  '11  not 
forget  it  ven  it  comes  to  the  money  part.  Any  time  yer  vants  a  'undred 
pounds  to  spend  do  yer  come  to  me,  and  yer  vil  get  it.  Do  yer  under- 
stand ?  " 

J  did  not  answer  him,  but  Mr.  Kebblewhite  continued,  as  he  wiped  the 
dirt  and  dust  from  his  face,  — 

"  Ven  it  comes  to  money  I  can  be  as  free  as  any  von,  now  I  tell  yer.  Yer 
has  freed  us,  and  yer  shall  be  paid  for  it.  Yer  jist  draw  on  me  for  a  'un- 
dred pounds  at  any  time.  But,  let  me  see,  vere  'as  1  seen  that  face  ot  yern 
afore  ?  I  thinks  I  knows  it." 

"You  had  better  hurry  to  the  assistance  of  your  daughter,"  1  said,  n:,t 
caring  to  enlighten  him  as  to  where  he  had  seen  me  the  last  time. 

"  I  vill.  My  poor  child  'as  suffered  intensely,  and  I  fears  for  her  'eulth. 
I  '11  get  'er  hout  of  this  as  soon  as  possible.  But  vere  'as  I  seen  yer  face 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  255 

afore,  young  man  ?  It  seems  to  me  quite  familiar  like,  but  I  can't  hexactly 
place  yer.  Did  yer  ever  borrer  any  money  of  me,  and  forget  to  repay  it  ?  " 

"  I  think  not,  Mr.  Kebblewhite.  If  I  had  ever  asked  you  for  money  it  is 
quite  probable  that  you  would  have  refused  my  request,"  I  said. 

"  Veil,  I  don't  know,  yer  know.  If  yer  'ad  the  right  kind  of  security,  I 
don't  know  but  I  might  'ave  let  yer  'ave  a  few  pounds.  But  yer  woice 
sounds  like  von  that  I  'as  'card  afore,  and  vere  I  can't  for  the  life  of  me 
tell.  Vere  'as  I  met  yer,  young  man  ?  " 

"  I  have  no  time  to  explain  all  the  circumstances  of  our  first  meeting,"  I 
answered,  "and,  if  I  did,  you  would  not  feel  very  friendly  toward  me,  I  am 
afraid,  even  if  I  have  saved  you  from  the  bushrangers,  and  your  daughter 
from  a  terrible  fate.  Suppose  that  you  delay  all  questions  until  a  more 
proper  time,  and  then  I  may  be  inclined  to  answer  some  of  the  most  impor- 
tant ones." 

He  stared  at  me  a  moment,  and  would  have  spoken  again,  but  I  turned 
my  back  to  him,  and  he  left  me,  and  went  to  his  daughter,  muttering,  and 
soon  I  faced  Monsieur  Allete,  who  had  waited  quite  calmly  until  I  had 
concluded  my  conversation  with  his  friend,  and  then  he  addressed  me,  hat  in 
hand. 

"  You  are  a  brave  homme"  he  said,  "  and  thank  you  I  do  much  very. 
Hope  I  that  you  escaped  have  all  injuries.  But  I  before  have  met  you. 
Yes,  sure  am  !.  It  is  milord.  Parbleu,  but  droll  is  it,  to  meet  here  you 
fighting  the  bushrangers,  and  giving  them  assez.  Ah,  well  did  you  do. 
Had  I  a  son  you  like  much,  proud  I  would  be  of  him.  You  good  man 
must  be,  milord,  to  save  us,  and  your  petite  femme.  Me  your  friend  from 
this  time.  Ah,  fight  you  well.  Sans  doutt\  je  merci  vous.  Shake  hands 
you  will.  Ah,  good  that  is.  I  fly  to  madame  to  tell  the  good  news  to  her." 

"  No,  monsieur,"  I  said,  detaining  him.  "  Will  you  please  not  mention 
to  madame  that  I  am  here?  Let  her  discover  me  if  she  desires  to.*' 

"  I  understand  it  not.  But,  je  ne  veux  pas,  if  you  wish.  But  fly  you 
should  to  her  arms.  The  petite  has  suffered  much  on  your  account,  I  think. 
Milord  go  on  the  night  of  his  noces.  Bad  that  is  for  him.  But  he  explain 
will.  Think  I  well  of  him  now.  Fights  he  like  the  great  Napoleon,  to 
conquer." 

He  shook  hands,  and  offered  me  a  pinch  of  snuff  from  his  gold  snuff-box, 
which  the  bushrangers  had  not  despoiled  him  of  the  night  before  on  account 
of  the  darkness,  and  the  lateness  of  the  hour.  Then  the  Frenchman  put  on 
his  hat,  and  walked  toward  Florence,  who  appeared  to  be  reviving  under 
the  careful  administration  of  her  father. 


256  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

As  I  passed  .the  wretch  whose  leg  was  broken,  he  uttered  a  whimper  of 
pain,  and  begged  for  a  drink  of  water,  but  I  had  none  to  give  him  at  the 
time,  for  the  Chinamen  had  charge  of  the  water-botties,  and  had  left  them  in 
the  scrub  somewhere,  when  they  had  stripped,  and  oiled  themselves  for 
the  fight. 

Mike  was  still  keeping  guard  over  his  prisoners,  — one  a  sailor-looking  fel- 
low, whose  face  I  had  seen  before,  I  thought,  although  I  could  not  place 
him, —keeping  that  wonderful  old  musket  at  a  charge,  and  ready  to  pour 
its  entire  contents  into  the  bodies  of  the  men  if  they  moved  an  inch  without 
his  consent,  while  close  to  him,  holding  his  hand,  and  suffering  intense 
pain,  was  the  bushranger  I  had  shot  though  the  wrist  on  my  run  to  save 
Florence.  Both  ruffians  were  not  disposed  to  make  trouble.  They  had 
hacl  all  the  fighting  they  wanted  for  the  day,  and  seemed  cowed,  and  only 
anxious  to  save  their  lives. 

"  Mike,"  I  said,  "  we  have  whipped  them,  but  it  was  a  narrow  escape  for 
us.  I  would  not  like  to  try  it  over  again." 

"Will,  sur,  I  don't  know  but  that  I  would.  Yer  sa,  whin  me  ould  Ebena 
zar  gets  started  it  don't  want  to  let  up  for  a  whole  hour,  and,  faith,  did  yer 
iver  sa  so  illegant  a  gun  in  all  your  loife,  sur  ?  It  shoots  of  itself  whin  once 
it  gets  started." 

"  What  made  you  so  long  in  the  scrub,  Mike  ?  I  thought  it  was  all  up 
with  me  at  one  time." 

"  Faith,  sur,  I  had  me  oye  on  yer  all  the  time,  and  well  yer  done,  and  I 
don't  loike  to  spile  a  man's  sport,  and  thought  I  'd  give  yer  a  fair  chance. 
Besoides,  sur,  I  was  loadin'  me  gun,  and  that  takes  time,  if  yer  want  it  to 
do  its  duty  loike  a  man." 

"  It  's  all  right,  Mike,  but  the  next  time  I  'm  in  a  ti^ht  place,  1  wish  you 
would  think  more  of  me,  and  less  of  your  gun.  A  few  minutes  more,  and 
even  your  gun  could  not  have  saved  me." 

"  Faith,  sur,  no  man  could  think  more  of  anither.  Ah,  would  yer,  yer 
beggar?  Put  up  yer  hands  this  minute,  or  I  '11  blow  a  "hole  through  yer  big 
enough  to  throw  in  a  family  Bible,  and  half  a  dozen  prayer-books,  yer  dirty 
spalpeen." 

This  remark  was  addressed  to  the  sailor-looking  prisoner,  who  had  drop- 
ped one  of  his  hands  to  brush  away  a  troublesome  insect  that  had  settled  on 
his  nose.  But  Mike  did  not  admit  of  such  liberties,  and  up  went  the  man's 
hands  in  a  hurry. 

I  went  to  the  scrub  where  I  had  left  my  revolving  rifle,  found  it,  and 
soon  removed  the  splinter  from  the  part  that  had  obstructed  its  working, 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  257 

and  then  re-loaded  rifle  and  revolver,  and  was  ready  for  a  fresh  attack,  in 
case  one  was  made. 

"  I  knows  yer,  sir,"  said  the  sailor  prisoner,  as  I  finished,  and  was  wonder- 
ing what  I  should  do  with  the  captives  and  the  dead. 

"  Where  did  you  ever  see  me  before  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  I  was  on  the  old  Iowa,  sir,  what  brought  you  here.  Don't  you  remem- 
ber Jack,  sir,  what  got  a  batting  at  the  wheel  one  morning,  and  you  came 
forward  and  dressed  his  cuts  ?  I  'm  the  man,  sir.  I  knowed  you  at  once 
sir,  and  then  when  Black  Dick  sung  out  for  help,  1  did  n't  turn  to,  now  did 
I,  sir?" 

"  No,  Jack,  you  did  not.  I  am  glad  to  see  you,  but  not  in  such  poor  com- 
pany as  this.  What  induced  you  to  turn  bushranger  ?  " 

"  Well,  sir,  after  we  got  to  Hong  Kong  I  deserted,  and  found  a  hooker 
that  was  comin'  here,  and  I  shipped  on  her,  and,  arter  knockin'  about  Port 
Phillip  a  while,  I  went  out  for  a  shepherd's  work,  and,  while  I  was  on  the 
run,  I  met  Dick,  and  he  persuaded  me  that  there  was  money  in  bushrangin', 
and,  faith,  there  is  ;  but  what  use  is  money  when  yon  can't  use  it  ?  I  had 
money  but  no  fun  with  it,  and  here  I  am,  and  a  hard  course  I  Ve  got  to 
steer  for  the  next  ten  years,  I  suppose." 

"  1  'm  sorry  for  you,  Jack,  and  will  do  what  I  can  for  you,  if  I  have  the 
chance.  How  long  have  you  been  with  Dick  ?  " 

"  Only  three  months,  sir,  as  you  must  know,  'cos  I  's  spoken  to  yon  many 
times,  but  yon  did  n't  seem  to  remember  me,  and  never  would  own  up  about 
the  old  Iowa  afore,  for  some  reason,  and  Dick  told  me  you  was  a  swell,  and 
not  to  bother  you  when  we  met  on  the  run  where  you  stopped  with  the 
girl." 

"  It  was  not  me,  Jack,  that  you  spoke  to,  but  some  other  person,  who  re- 
sembles me." 

"  P'aps  so,  sir,  but  I  'm  mum  if  you  wants  me  to  be.  I  '11  swear  I  never 
seed  you  afore,  if  you  wishes  to  get  out  of  a  scrape/' 

"  Does  any  of  the  rest  of  the  men  recognize  me  ?  "   I  asked.  . 

"  No,  sir,  exceptin'  Slipper  Sam,  whose  face  and  eyes  was  shot  away  at 
the  fust  fire  you  give  us,  and  who  is  gone  to  Davy  Jones's  locker.  That  's 
him,  sir.  Jist  turn  him  over,  and  see  what  a  sight  he  is.  He  and  Dick  was 
the  only  ones  what  met  the  '  swell,'  as  they  called  you.  But  once  I  was 
sent  to  you  on  a  message,  and  I  seed  you  and  the  lass  at  the  hut,  but  you 
would  n't  hail  me,  and  so  1  clawed  off,  and  never  seed  you  agin  till  this  min- 
ute. You  was  actin"  with  the  traps  all  the  time,  was  you,  sir  ?  *' 

"  No,  Jack,  I  was  not  acting  with  the  traps,  and  I  am  not  the  person  you 


258  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

think.  I  came  here  to  save  that  young  lady  and  her  friends,  and  I  am  glad 
that  I  have  done  so." 

"  You  know  best,  sir,  what  is  all  right  and  ship-shape,  but  I  s'pose  lands- 
men has  as  good  a  right  to  have  a  wife  in  every  town,  as  a  sailor  in  every 
port." 

Jack  was  like  the  rest  of  them,  —  he  would  not  believe  my  statement,  and 
thought  that  I  had  been  acting,  for  reasons  of  my  own,  as  a  spy,  for  the 
purpose  of  finally  destroying  his  gang  of  bushrangers. 

I  did  not  accept  of  the  sailor's  kind  invitation  to  turn  Slipper  Sam  over 
on  his  back,  and  examine  his  mutilated  face,  for  the  sight  must  have  been  a 
revolting  one,  the  whole  charge  of  shot  and  slugs  lodging  in  it,  and  tearing 
the  flesh  in  every  direction,  and  some  of  the  lead  penetrating  the  brain,  thus 
causing  a  painful  and  speedy  death. 

"Jack,"  I  said,  "we  must  place  you  in  irons,  or  in  other  words,  lash  you, 
and  the  man  with  a  wounded  wrist,  to  trees,  until  we  can  get  assistance.  I 
would  n't  do  it  if  we  could  depend  on  you." 

"  All  right,  sir,  I  'm  willin'.  Tie  me  where  you  please.  I  'm  rather  glad 
that  my  bushrangin'  life  is  over.  It  was  a  bloody  unsartin  one,  and  no  fun 
to  be  on  the  tramp  night  and  day,  expectin'  the  traps  to  tumble  on  you 
every  moment.  My  vige  is  ended,  and  now  I  'm  being  paid  off,  and  it  will 
be  a  topsail-breeze  sentence,  I  'm  thinkin'." 

"  Hope  for  the  best,  old  shipmate.  It  shall  go  hard  if  I  do  not  have  a 
word  to  say  in  your  behalf." 

Mike  and  I  lashed  Jack  and  his  companion,  a  fellow  who  had  none  of  the 
good  qualities  of  the  sailor,  to  a  couple  of  trees,  tying  them  so  firmly  that 
they  could  not  escape,  and,  while  I  was  thus  occupied,  my  friend  Jack  whis- 
pered, — 

"  A  word  with  you,  Mr.  Angus.  Don't  pretend  to  mind  what  I  'm  sayin' 
to  you,  but  listen,  and  believe  me,  for  it  's  the  bloody  truth  I  'm  speakin', 
as  sure  as  I  'm  a  sailor.  You  have  done  me  a  good  turn,  and  now  I  '11  do 
you  one,  if  you  will  but  believe  me,  and  it  's  God's  truth  I  'm  tellin'  you, 
though  you  may  not  think  so.  Let  me  whisper  to  you,  sir,  and  mind  every 
word  I  say.  Under  that  smudge  of  a  fire,  sir,  about  two  feet  deep  in  the 
ground,  is  a  big  box,  and  that  box  is  nearly  filled  with  gold  coins,  gold-dust, 
and  bank  notes.  It  's  the  result  of  Black  Dick  and  Slipper  Sam's  robber- 
ies for  the  past  two  years.  I  've  seen  'em  bury  their  plunder  there  many 
a  time,  and  they  did  n't  know  I  was  watchin'  of  'em.  There  's  thousands 
of  pounds,  and  no  one  knows  it  but  me,  now  that  Dick  and  Sam  has  slipped 
their  cables.  You  take  it,  and  keep  it,  and  you  '11  be  rich.  I  shall  never 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  259 

live  to  put  my  fists  on  it,  and  it  's  a  pity  to  let  it  lay  in  the  ground  when  it 
can  do  so  much  good  to  a  kind-hearted  mate  like  yerself." 

"  But  is  there  no  way  by  which  it  can  be  restored  to  its  rightful  owners  ?  " 
I  asked,  hardly  able  to  give  credence  to  the  story. 

"  Not  a  ghost  of  a  way,"  was  the  confident  answer.  "  Dick  and  Sam  al- 
ways burnt  up  the  bags  and  pusses  what  held  the  money,  and  dumped  all  in 
together,  and  it  would  puzzle  a  sea-lawyer  to  tell  which  from  the  other.  No 
one  can  claim  the  dust  or  coin,  and  the  bank  bills  are  few,  and  of  no  ac- 
count, if  the  numbers  has  been  taken." 

"  Are  you  speaking  the  truth,  Jack?  "  I  asked. 

"  As  I  hope  for  a  good  watch  below,  sir,  I  'm  not  yarnin'.  You  '11  find  the 
treasure  there  all  right,  for  no  one  knows  of  it  but  me  now  the  others  is 
dead." 

"  But  why  should  they  bury  it  under  the  fire  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Because  it  is  the  last  place  any  one  would  think  of  lookin'  over.  Don't 
you  see,  the  ashes  is  removed,  the  box  taken  out,  put  .back  agin,  and  then 
the  coals  is  returned,  a  new  fire  is  started,  and  who  is  to  know  what  is  un- 
derneath ?  It  is  not  as  though  you  broke  ground  every  time,  as  that  is  'Hire 
to  attract  attention.  Dick  knew  what  he  was  about  when  he  selected  this 
spot  for  his  headquarters.  He  did  n't  think  a  trap  could  find  his  way 
here." 

"  And  we  should  not  have  discovered  you  had  it  not  been  for  a  tracker, 
who  led  us  here.  We  could  not  have  found  you  without  his  aid  if  we  had 
hunted  all  clay." 

"  I  don't  think  you  could,  sir.  We  had  our  landmarks  and  courses  as 
much  as  a  ship  near  the  shore,  or  at  sea." 

"  And  do  you  mean  to  keep  this  matter  a  secret,  Jack  ?  "  I  asked,  in  a 
careless  tone,  although  I  was  anxious  to  test  his  story,  and,  if  possible,  to 
add  to  my  wealth. 

"  Yes,  sir.  I  *11  not  whisper  it  to  another  man  but  you,  not  even  if  my 
life  depended  on  it." 

"  Then  I  'II  see  if  your  yarn  is  a  correct  one  some  day,  when  I  have  time. 
But,  true  or  false,  Jack,  I  '11  not  forget  to  look  after  your  welfare." 

"  Thank  you,  sir,"  and  Jack  dropped  his  head  on  his  bosom,  and  appear- 
ed to  dream  of  his  early  days,  when  he  had  hopes  and  ambition  of  a  bright 
future. 

In  the  mean  time  the  two  Chinamen  had  recovered  from  their  blood  de- 
lirium, and  were  smoking,  and  talking  over  the  events  of  the  day,  one  of 
them  with  a  damaged  head,  and  the  other  still  greasy  and  stained  with  gore 


260  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


from  Dick's  wounds.     They  were  quiet  enough  now,  and   had  put  their 
murderous-looking  knives  out  of  sight. 

"  Gin,"  I  said,  "  go  and  get  the  water-flasks.  You  know  where  you  left 
them." 

"  Youe  bettie   Chinaman  fighte  likie  deble  whene  hee  wante.     Seie,  Ah 

Sugar  gettie  clippe  frome  bushrange.     Hee  noie  minde.     Brave 

mane,  Sugar.     Alle  samie  likie  meie.     Wee  lickie  dozen  mene  alle  samie 
timie." 

The  Chinamen  did  not  appear  to  remember  that  I  had  pulled  them  from 
the  dead  body  of  Dick,  and,  in  order  to  save  myself,  and  the  remains  from 
further  mutilation,  had  been  obliged  to  knock  Ah  Sugar  down  with  the  bar- 
rel of  a  pistol.  They  had  been  so  delirious  with  rage,  that  the  past  was  a 
blank  to  them,  excepting  their  hacking  at  the  bushranger  with  their  knives. 
Now  they  boasted  of  their  courage. 

I  did  not  think  it  was  worth  while  to  hint  to  Ah  Sugar  that  I  had  nearly 
fractured  his  skull,  for  Chinamen  sometimes  take  sudden  and  terrible  re- 
venge for  injuries,  real  or  imaginary. 

"  Youe  seie  that  blamie  rascale  ?  "  asked  Gin,  as  he  arose  to  go  in  search 
of  the  water  flasks.  "  Hee  onie  bade  bushrange  whate  tiee  meie  upe  in  the 
bushe  whene  youe  comee  lete  meie  goe.  Noe  tiee  upe  morie  Chinaman," 
and  the  fellow  grinned  as  he  pointed  to  the  dead  robber,  and  then  walked 
off  to  find  the  water,  which  we  all  stood  in  need  of  just  at  that  moment. 

I  saw  that  Mr.  Kebblewhite  and  Monsieur  Allete  were  still  endeavoring 
to  calm  Florence,  whose  nerves  had  received  a  severe  shaking,  and  I  was 
just  about  to  go  to  her,  and  offer  a  drop  of  brandy,  when  I  heard  a  renewal 
of  the  baying  of  the  hound,  and  this  time  it  was  quite  near. 

"Holy  Moses,"  cried  Mike,  "the  bloody  baste  is  loose,  and  comin'  this 
way,  and,  if  he  is  on  the  trail  of  the  bushrangers,  it 's  a  moighty  lively  toime 
we  shall  have.  Take  yer  rifle,  Mr.  Hangus,  and  shoot  onliss  the  baste 
recogknizes  me  voice,  and  comes  to  me.  He  's  the  divil  and  all  his  imps 
whin  he  's  on  a  scint." 

Mike  took  his  old  gun,  and  I  cocked  my  rifle  and  revolver,  and  took  my 
position  in  front  of  Florence,  to  defend  her  if  necessary. 

"  Vot  is  it  now,  young  man  ?  "  asked  Mr.  Kebblewhite.  "  No  more  bush- 
rangers, I  'ope  ?  Remember,  if  yer  vants  a  fifty-pun  note  at  any  time  call 
on  me.  I  'm  a  man  vot  never  forgets  a  favor,  and  I  'm  not  the  von  to  let 
this  'ere  affair  slip  hout  of  my  mind.  If  Tcould  'ave  got  at  'em,  I  'd  'ave 
made  'em  sing  small  for  it,  but  I  vaited  to  see  vot  the  scamps  vould  do.  I 
'm  a  terrible  man  ven  I  'm  aroused,  as  hall  my  relations  vill  tell  yer,  if  yer 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  261 

ax  'em.  My  friend  here,  this  poor  Frenchman,  vill  let  yer  know  vot  I  can 
do,  if  I  'as  a  mind.  Speak  hup.  moorsur,  and  inform  this  young  person  'ow 
I  told  yer  to  be  calm  last  night,  ven  the  gang  grabbed  us." 

"  Yes,  talk  much  did  you,"  the  French  gentleman  answered,  with  a  terri- 
ble shrug  of  his  shoulders.  "  To  me  say  you  all  the  time, '  Don't  mad  much 
make  them,  or  they  us  kill.'  For  the  petite  keep  I  quiet.  Fear  much  for 
her  do  I.  Attendez,  think  I.  Time  enough  my  life  to  give  away  ven  they 
lav  hand  on  de  lady.  Fight  I  den  if  die  I  for  it.  People  some  there  is  not 
fear  de  death  Monsieur  Allete  die  not  for  fear  ven  de  lady  is  danger  in. 
If  de  fadder  talk  much,  he  fighte  less  den  he  talk.  But  I  love  de  petite,  like 
daughter  to  me." 

"  Yes,  yes,  ve  knows  hall  that,"  my  father-in-law  said.  "  Give  me  a 
chance  to  speak  vonce  in  a  vile.  I  am  liberal,  and  tells  this  young  person  to 
come  to  me  for  fifty  puns.  Ve  hall  hunderstands,  and  'e  does.  Don't 
talk  no  more  on  the  subject." 

"  But  talks  vill  I,"  Monsieur  Allete  said,  his  calm  face  flushing  with  an- 
ger at  the  curt  suggestion  of  his  old  friend,  and  the  father  of  the  young 
lady  whom  he  worshiped  in  a  manner  that  seemed  incredible  to  one  who 
knew  how  many  snubs  Mr.  Kebblewhite  gave  him  in  the  course  of 
twenty-four  hours.  "  To  save  de  petite  give  her  all  dat  I  have.  To  her 
hair  prevent  being  hurt,  my  life  risk  I  vil.  Do  you  that?  Bah!  The 
shentleman  has  mlich  fight  for  us.  To  him  give  we  money  much.  Speak 
have  I." 

"Veil,  then,  speak  in  yer  hown  name,  moorsur,  and  not  for  Mr.  Kebble- 
white. I  knows  vot  I  'm  about  as  veil  as  yer  does,  and  fifty  puns  is  a 
fortune  to  this  young  man.  It  is  quite  probable  that  he  never  seed  so  much 
money  in  hall  'is  life  at  von  time.  Vy,  I  commenced  business  vid  less  than 
that  sum,  and  look  at  me  now." 

"Yes,  I  see,  by  gar!"  the  Frenchman  said,  with  a  shrug  of  his  shoul- 
ders that  was  eloquence  itself.  "  I  look  at  you  all  de  time,  and  vender  dat 
de  petite  father  like  you  have.  Parbleu" 

"  Not  a  penny  more  than  fifty  puns,"  growled  Mr.  Kebblewhite,  and  he 
turned  away,  with  a  look  of  determination. 

He  was  falling  in  his  debt  of  gratitude  quite  fast:  but  just  at  this  moment 
Florence  looked  at  me.  for  the  first  time,  and  suddenly  threw  up  her 
arms,  and  exclaimed.  — 

u  O  Heaven,  my  husband ! " 


"TO   THE   DIVIL  WID   YER,   YER    BASTE   OF   THE   WOORLD  !"   MUTTERED   MIKE. 


PART   XI. 

AFTER    THE    FIGHT.  —  ARRIVAL    OF    THE    POLICEMEN,    AND    MR.    MURDEN 
PUTS    IN    AN    APPEARANCE,    AND    EXPRESSES    HIS  VIEWS.  —  MY    OLD 
SHIPMATE. —  SOME    THINGS    ARE     EXPLAINED,    AND    OTHERS 
A     MYSTERY. —THE      HIDDEN      TREASURE.  —  A     BOLD 
PROPOSITION.  —  A  WOOL   SPECULATION.  —  FLOR- 
ENCE    IS     OBDURATE.  —  SMITH'S      HOME, 
AND   ANOTHER    FEMALE   CRANK.— 
A     BOLD    CLAIM    FOR    A 
HUSBAND. 

A  S  Florence  uttered  the  soul-stirring  cry  of  "  O  my  husband  !  "  I  felt  all 
^~*  my  resolution  weaken,  and  should  have  run  to  her,  and  fallen  at  her 
feet,  if  Mr.  Kebblewhite  had  not  sprung  up  in  an  excited  manner,  and  cried 
out,  — 

"  Vere  is  'e  ?     Show  'im  to  me  somebody.     Vere  's  my  pistols  and  my 
nulla  ?     Let  me  get  at  'im  !  " 

"  Faire  la  moue,  vous  stupide !  "  roared  the  Frenchman,  but  he  might  as 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  263 

well  have  talked  in  native  Australian  for  all  that  Mr.  Kebblewhite  knew 
about  French.  "  Quiet  keep,  tell  you  I.  You  are  an  imbecile.  Nothing 
know  you.  Bah  !  you  use  not  de  pistols  last  night  when  de  rangersbush 
take  us.  The  petite  has  more  of  the  courage  than  you.  Now,  call  you 
for  your  pistols,  and  for  what  ?  " 

"  To  shoot  the  man  that  'as  vronged  my  darter,"  was  the  savage  reply. 

"  Bah  !  the  petite  has  not  been  wronged  much.  The  gargon  is  an  hommc 
brave.  Fights  he  like  a  Frenchman  at  the  barricades.  He  is  friend  mine. 
Speak  I  for  him.  He  shall  have  the  petite  if  he  wants  her,  and  know  I  that 
he  loves  her." 

"  O  Angus,"  I  heard  Florence  say,  but  just  then  I  had  to  turn  my  back 
to  her,  and,  kneeling  on  one  knee,  await  the  onset  of  the  blood-hound, 
whose  bays  were  growing  more  distinct,  as  he  neared  our  quarters. 

"  Look  a-here,"  Mr.  Kebblewhite  said,  as  he  laid  a  hand  on  my  shoulder, 
"  is  yer  the  Hearl  of  Afton,  and  my  darter's  'usband  \  Jist  hanswer  that, 
vill  yer  ?  " 

"  Be  quiet,  man,"  I  cried.  "  I  will  attend  to  you,  and  your  questions,  as 
soon  as  this  danger  is  passed." 

:'..«  Vot  danger  ?  There  ?s  no  danger  now,  is  there,  sence  I  scattered  and 
killed  the  bushrangers  ?  Vot  ever  does  yer  ludship  mean  ?  Let  me  see  the 
danger,  and  go  and  meet  it  !  "  Mr.  Kebblewhite  roared. 

"  In  a  minute  or  two  an  infuriated  blood-hound  will  burst  upon  us,  and 
woe  to  the  one  who  gets  in  his  way.  He  is  a  tiger  in  his  wrath,  and  nearly 
as  powerful.  I  shall  remain  here,  and  defend  Florence." 

"  That  is  right,  yer  ludship.  Always  take  care  of  yer  vife  ;  but,  as  I  'as 
none  'ere,  and  as  yer  vill  look  arter  Florence,  I  think  that  I  '11  run  hup  a 
tree.  Fight  for  'er,  my  lud,  and  don't  forget  the  fifty  puns.  If  yer  need 
'elp  I  '11  come  down,  and  take  a  'and." 

He  left  me,  and  went  up  a  cedar-tree  with  wonderful  rapidity,  considering 
his  age  and  size,  and  rotundity. 

"  Faith,"  muttered  Mike,  "if  it  wa'n't  for  the  lady  I  'd  lave  the  ould  spal- 
peen to  fight  it  out  as  best  he  could.  He  's  jist  fit  for  the  saints,  or  the  div- 
il,  and  I  think  the  last  will  get  him.  Oh.  I  knows  him  well,  the  ould  lag. 
He  is  the  mane  one." 

"  Hush,  Mike.  Don't  let  the  lady  hear  you  speak  disrespectfully  of  her 
father.  She  loves  him,  and  he  has  been  a  good  parent  to  her,"  I  said. 

Mike  sniffed  disdainfully,  but  just  then  Monsieur  Allete  came  to  my 
side  with  one  of  the  Chinamen's  immense  knives.  He  had  found  it.  and  in- 
tended to  use  it,  in  case  the  dog  was  mad,  or  disposed  to  attack  us. 


264  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"Ve  vill  save  the  petite,  milord,  above  all  other  things  else.  Ve  vill 
side  by  side  stand  and  fight,  like  at  Waterlo  )  the  Old  Guard." 

He  reached  out  his  hand,  and  gave  my  fingers  a  squeeze,  then  took  a 
pinch  of  snuff,  and  offered  his  box  to  me.  but  I  could  not  accept  his  hospi- 
tality just  then,  as  a  fit  of  sneezing  would  disarrange  my  aim. 

"Don't  foire  at  the  baste  till  I  try  it  wid  a  koind  word,"  said  Mike. 
"  Sure,  I  Ve  spoken  to  the  dog  quite  offen,  and,  may  be,  he  '11  know  me,  I 
don't  know.  Smith  kapes  him  chained  up,  unless  the  black  fellers  get  at 
his  shape,  or  the  dingos  is  round,  or  the  bushrangers  is  a  little  too  fra  wid 
the  mutton.  Thin  he  lets  him  go,  and  a  divil  of  a  row  he  makes  of  it. 
Holy  Moses  in  the  bulrushes  !  but  here  he  comes,  like  a  tornado,  butt  end 
foremost." 

"  O  Angus,  dear  Angus,  come  to  me,  and  protect  me,"  moaned  Florence, 
who  began  to  be  alarmed  at  the  terrible  bays  which  the  dog  uttered,  and 
at  the  sudden  stillness  of  the  party  that  stood  in  front  of  her,  while  the 
bushrangers,  who  were  tied  up,  and  wounded,  uttered  fearful  howls  for  pro- 
tection from  the  savage  bea»t,  as  they  thought  he  would  be  likely  to  tear 
them  limb  from  limb  in  his  rage,  unless  we  stopped  him  in  his  course. 

"Let  Angus  alone,  vill  yer,"  impatiently  exclaimed  my  respected  father- 
in-law  from  his  safe  position.  "  'E  's  honly  doin'  'is  duty,  and  vot  does  yer 
vant  to  make  'im  give  hup  for  jist  now?  There  '11  be  time  enough  for  hall 
hexplanations  ven  the  danger  is  past.  Remember  the  fifty  puns,  my  lud,  or 
votever  yer  calls  yerself,  and  if  'arm  comes  to  my  darter  yer  don't  get  the 
money.  Call  on  me  if  yer  vants  'elp.  Oh,  'ow  I  vish  I  'ad  my  pistols  and 
nulla  'ere.  I  'd  meet  the  dog  hall  alone,  and  down  him  in  a  hinstant." 

**  Faith,"  cried  Mike,  "  there  's  room  for  all  of  yer.  If  yer  want  to  fight 
we  can  accommodate  yer.  Sure,  no  one  will  take  the  bread  out  of  yer 
mouth.  But  here  is  the  dog,  and  we  '11  sa  what  we  will  sa." 

As  he  spoke,  the  huge  animal,  his  eyes  like  balls  of  fire,  and  his  mouth 
covered  with  foam,  sprang  into  the  clearing,  and,  with  nose  close  to  the 
ground,  ran  on  until  he  found  the  dead  body  of  Black  Dick  in  his  path,  and 
this  seemed  to  surprise  him,  for  he  sniffed  at  the  blood  for  a  moment,  tak- 
ing no  notice  of  us,  and  then  sat  down  on  his  haunches,  and  uttered  a  deep 
and  prolonged  death  howl,  a  howl  that  was  more  dreadful  than  one  of  rage, 
such  as  he  had  expressed  while  following  the  trail. 

"  Rover,  Rover,  good,  noice  doggie,"  cried  Mike,  in  a  conciliatory  tone, 
that  he  intended  should  be  very  effective,  but  the  dog  only  looked  at  him 
for  a  moment  in  quiet  contempt,  and  renewed  his  howls,  deep  and  un- 
earthly. 


.     The  Belle  of  Australia.  265 

"To  the  divil  \vid  yer,  yer  baste  of  the  world,''  muttered  Mike.  "  Who 
cares  for  yer  anyhow  ?  " 

I  heard  a  movement  in  a  she-oak  at  the  edge  of  the  clearing,  and,  looking 
up,  saw  that  the  two  Chinamen  had  taken  refuge  in  the  topmost  branches, 
and  were  looking  down  on  us  with  much  complacency  and  independence, 
while,  confound  them,  they  had  the  two  water  flasks  around  their  necks, 
and  were  taking  quiet  drinks,  as  though  they  enjoyed  them,  and  the  specta- 
cle before  them,  at  the  same  time. 

"  Let  me  have  a  shot  at  'em  wid  me  ould  Ebenazar  ?"  pleaded  Mike.  "  I 
'11  bet  a  pound  I  could  tumble  'em  out  of  the  tra,  pig-tails  and  all,  at  the 
first  fire.  Only  half  a  shot,  yer  honor." 

•;  There  are  horsemen  approaching  us,  Mike.  Listen.  I  can  hear  them 
galloping  through  the  scrub,  and  splashing  in  the  swamp.  Who  can  they 
be  ?  "  I  remarked,  ignoring  the  request,  and  yet  full  of  anxiety  for  those 
who  looked  to  me  for  protection. 

"  Begor,  it  must  be  the  traps,  and  they  has  followed  the  dog.  Sa  the 
baste.  He  sabes  more  than  a  hathen  Chinaman,  arter  all,  for  he  don't  stir 
from  the  side  of  the  one  he  trailed  to  this  spot,  and  he  knows  there  's  no 
more  fight  in  him.  Thunder  and  Moses  !  here  they  comes,  —  the  traps,  six 
of  'em,  —  and  don't  they  ride  illegantly.  Look  at  the  lader,  and  sa  him 
jump  the  scrub.  Whoop !  well  that.  I  could  n't  have  done  bitter  meself, 
and  I  was  the  divil's  own  buy  for  a  staple  chase  in  Ould  Oireland,  some 
years  ago." 

The  six  mounted  officers  rode  into  the  clearing,  jumping  the  rude  ob- 
structions as  easily  as  circus  horses  leap  over  the  low  barriers  placed  in  the 
ring,  and,  as  they  drew  up,  each  policeman  with  a  light  carbine  on  the  pum- 
mel of  his  saddle,  and  ready  for  immediate  use,  they  did  present  the  ap- 
pearance of  being  a  formidable  and  courageous  body  of  men,  capable  of 
making  a  good  fight  in  case  of  necessity,  while  at  their  head  I  saw  the  well- 
known  face  of  Mr.  Murden,  Chief  of  the  Melbourne  Police,  and  the  man 
who  had  given  me  more  trouble  than  any  other  in  Australia,  from  the  day  I 
landed  on  her  shores,  until  he  had  met  me  at  the  mines  in  Ballarat,  and  ac- 
cused me  of  enticing  Miss  Kitty  from  the  city,  by  the  aid  of  a  love-letter. 

"  Well,  it  looks  to  me  as  though  there  had  been  a  lively  little  brush  here," 
said  the  Chief,  as  he  dismounted. 

"  Thank  "eaven  yer  'ave  come,''  cried  Mr.  Kebblewhite,  dropping  out  of 
the  tree.  "  Ve  'as  'ad  a  devii  of  a  row,  and  no  mistake.  I  'as  'ad  fightin' 
enough  to  last  me  for  the  remainder  of  my  life.  In  a  minute  more  I  should 
'ave  killed  that  bloody  'ound,  yer  know." 


266  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"What,  while  you  were  in  the  tree  ?  "  asked  the  Chief,  with  a  grin. 

"Veil,  yes;  yer  see  I  vent  up  there  to  be  hall  ready  to  drop  on  Mm,  and 
mash  'im,  if  'e  come  near  my  darter.  Arter  ve  killed  the  bushrangers  ve 
'card  the  dog,  and  did  n't  know  but  vot  'e  belonged  to  'em,  so  got  hall 
ready  for  Mm.  But  'e  did  n't  show  no  fight,  and  yer  comes  up,  and  saves 
Mm." 

"  Jist  hear  the  ould  divil  lie,"  muttered  Mike.  "  In  a  few  minutes  he  'Jl; 
swear  he  did  all  the  fightin',  and  we  only  looked  on." 

But  Mr.  Murden  did  not  appear  to  take  much  stock  in  Mr.  Kebblewhite's 
assertions,  for  he  walked  toward  me,  gave  me  a  sharp  look,  touched  his  cap, 
and  said,  — 

"  Pray,  my  lord,  how  does  it  happen  that  I  find  you  in  such  distinguished 
company  ?  The  last  time  I  saw  you  was  at  Camp  Reserve,  and  you  then 
gave  me  a  promise  which  you  did  not  keep.  You  broke  it  in  less  than  two 
hours." 

"  If  you  had  returned  to  the  mines,  instead  of  hunting  in  the  bush,  you 
would  have  found  me,  and  learned  that  I  kept  my  word  then,  and  as  I  al- 
ways shall,"  I  said. 

The  Chief  shrugged  his  shoulders,  and  then  bowed  low  to  Florence,  who 
came  forward,  and  placed  a  hand  on  my  shoulder. 

"  Mr.  Murden,"  she  said,  "  we  owe  our  lives  to  this  gentleman,  who  is 
my  husband." 

"  I  can  swear  to  that,  madame,  for  I  saw  you  married,"  the  Chief  remark- 
ed, with  an  encouraging  nod. 

Florence  kept  back  her  tears  as  well  as  she  could,  but  still  allowed  her 
hand  to  remain  on  my  shoulder.  But  she  did  not  once  glance  at  my  face, 
as  though  she  feared  her  resolution  would  fail  just  when  she  needed  it 
most. 

"  This  gentleman,"  she  continued,  "and  this  brave  Irishman  "  — 

"Whoop  !  that  's  ma,"  yelled  Mike.  "  Thra  chaers  for  the  Belle  of  Aus- 
tralia." 

Mike  called  for  the  cheers,  but  no  one  joined  in  with  him.  The  police 
did  not  dare  to,  or  could  not  for  laughter. 

"  And  the  two  Chinese,"  continued  Florence. 

"The  hathens  what  is  up  in  the  tra.  Yer  can  jist  sa  their  heads  stickirf 
out  from  the  laves  like  howls,"  interrupted  Mike. 

The  Chief  gave  him  a  look,  and  he  wilted  for  a  moment,  but  Florence 
continued,  — 

"  We  were  captured  last  night  just  a^fter  sunset,  and  brought  to  this  place, 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  267 

as  the  bushrangers  said,  to  be  held  for  a  ransom  of  twenty  thousand 
pounds." 

"  I  'd  seed  'em  blanked  afore  I  'd  paid  it,"  muttered  the  lady's  father.  "  I 
'd  fit  'em  single- 'anded  fust." 

"  Mr.  Angus,  or  my  lord,  I  know  not  which,  learned  of  our  danger,  and 
started  in  pursuit.  The  result  is  before  you.  We  have  escaped  outrage, 
and  are  free.  For  all  this  I  owe  him  my  deep,  my  heartfelt  thanks,  and  he 
has  them." 

"  And  is  that  all,  Florence  ?  "  I  asked,  as  she  paused,  and  withdrew  her 
hand  from  my  shoulder. 

"  God  help  me  that  is  all,"  she  responded,  with  a  sigh,  and  would  have 
turned  from  me,  but  I  detained  her  very  gently,  and  kissed  her  hand  most 
lovingly. 

She  started  as  my  lips  touched  her  fingers,  and  seemed  trying  to  be  an- 
gry, but  the  effort  was  a  failure.  I  could  tell  by  the  glance  of  her  blue  eyes, 
by  the  faint  flush  in  her  delicate  cheeks,  by  the  convulsive  movement  of 
her  thin  lips,  that  her  heart  was  stirred  by  my  deep  love  and  devotion,  and, 
if  we  had  been  alone,  I  could  have  conquered  her  proud  spirit,  for  a  few 
kisses,  judiciously  bestowed,  does  wonders  with  a  woman  who  is  uncertain 
in  her  mind  as  to  which  course  she  shall  take,  — be  loved  and  happy,  or 
rich  and  miserable. 

"  You  do  not  hate  me,  Florence  ?  "  I  asked,  still  holding  her  hand,  and 
venturing  on  another  kiss,  to  the  intense  delight  of  Monsieur  Allete,  who 
continued  to  make  motions  for  me  to  keep  the  thing  going,  and  not  relax 
the  kissing  part  even  for  a  moment. 

"  I  do  not  know  my  own  mind  as  yet,"  she  said,  with  a  weary  sigh.  "  I 
have  had  some  hard,  wicked  thoughts  regarding  you  and  your  conduct. 
But  I  am  grateful,  and  let  that  suffice  for  the  present.  I  am  proud  of  your 
courage,  of  your  struggles  in  my  behalf,  and,  oh,  if  you  were  only  good,  I 
should  love  you  as  man  was  never  loved  before.  But  you  are  bad,  and  I 
want  to  hate  you,  but  1  don't  quite." 

"  You  have  not  vet  fully  forgiven  me  ?  "  I  asked,  still  pleading. 

"There  are  some  things  a  true-hearted  and  loving  woman  cannot  forget, 
or  forgive.  You  know  what  they  are." 

"  You  are  unmerciful,  Florence,"  I  said.  "  I  have  suffered  and  endured 
much  for  your  sake,  and  have  labored  day  and  night  to  win  a  fortune,  that  I 
might  prove  myself  worthy  of  your  esteem  and  love.  But  I  see  that  it  is 
useless.  It  would  have  been  better  for  me  had  I  fallen  in  the  struggle  with 
yonder  dead  bushranger ;  but,  Florence,  the  thought  of  you,  and  your  dan- 


268  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

ger,  gave  me  courage  and  strength,  for  I  knew  what  your  fate  would  be  had 
I  yielded." 

"  You  have  but  yourself  to  blame  for  this  coldness  on  my  part,  Angus," 
Florence  said,  with  a  trembling  lip.  "  I  might  have  pardoned  your  de- 
ception in  marrying  me,  if  indeed  there  was  deception,  which  I  have  reason 
to  doubt,  had  you  been  true  to  me,  and  not  disgraced  me  by  a  clandestine 
flight." 

"  You  know,  Florence,  that  I  asked  your  pardon  for  all  that  had  occurred, 
but  you  would  not  grant  it.  You  refused  me  even  a  word  of  consolation. 
Do  you  forget  ?  " 

"  Why  did  you  leave  me  on  that  dreadful,  unhappy  night  so  unceremoni- 
ously ?  "  she  demanded,  with  a  proud  look. 

"  Because  I  am  a  young  man  of  a  religious  and  moral  character,"  I  an- 
swered, thinking  those  words  would  crush  her,  but  they  had  no  more  effect 
than  when  I  first  used  them,  the  night  I  was  married. 

"  It  is  false,"  she  cried,  with  a  fierce  stamp  of  her  pretty  little  foot.  "  You 
are  neither  religious  nor  moral.  Did  I  not  read  in  that  dreadful  Melbourne 
paper  the  confession  of  one  of  my  maids,  that,  on  your  way  to  my  chamber, 
you  stopped  on  the  stairs,  and  kissed  her  ?  " 

"  Blast  that  girl,"  I  thought.  "  She  was  so  proud  of  the  kiss  she  had  to 
tell  of  it.  So  much  for  trusting  a  secret  to  a  woman.  I  shall  know  better 
next  time."  But  I  only  said,  — 

"  Can  you  believe  me  guilty  of  such  a  crime,  Florence  ?  " 

"  Yes,  crimes  a  thousand  times  worse.  Angus,  I  could  have  forgiven 
you  for  kissing  that  mean,  contemptible,  forward  jade  of  a  girl,  —  I  packed 
her  out  of  the  house  as  soon  as  I  was  well  enough  to  get  out  of  bed,  and 
read  that  awful  paper,  and  I  wanted  to  have  her  imprisoned,  but  could  n't, 
so  refused  to  give  her  a  reference,  —  but  when  I  think  of  other  sins  you 
have  committed,  my  heart  turns  against  you,  and  is  hardened.  I  can  never 
trust  my  happiness  in  your  keeping;  and  yet  I  will  own  that  I  love  you  a 
little,  and  that  I  shall  never  love  another  as  I  do  you.  Of  that  be  as- 
sured." 

"  Will  you  name  my  sins,  Florence,  so  that  I  can  defend  myself  from  the 
charges  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  You  have  no  defence,"  she  replied,  her  pretty  face  showing  more 
emotion  than  when  she  commenced  to  arraign  me.  "  I  have  heard  of  your 
scandalous  doings  in  Melbourne.  All  of  my  female  friends  told  me  of 
them,  as  soon  as  you  deserted  me.  I  blush  for  you,  Angus.  At  Webber's 
I  again  traced  you,  and  find  you  vowing  devotion  to  a  flaxen-haired  thing. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  269 


At  Ballarat  you  take  a  bold,  mean  girl  out  of  a  respectable  house,  and  run 
away  with  her.  Do  you  deny  it,  Angus  ?  " 

"  I  do,  most  decidedly,  Florence,  and  it  is  cruel  to  accuse  me  of  such 
things." 

"  Mr.  Murden  can  prove  every  word  that  I  have  uttered,"  my  wife  re- 
plied, indignantly. 

"  I  do  not  wish  to  be  called  into  this  controversy,"  Mr.  Murden  said.  "It 
is  a  family  quarrel,  which  can  best  be  settled  by  the  parties  most  interested. 
Mr.  Kebblewhite  offered  a  reward  of  one  hundred  pounds  "  — 

"  Twenty-five,  my  friend,  I  think,"  interrupted  Mr.  Kebblewhite,  with  a 
wave  of  his  hand.  "  And  the  reward  was  withdrawn  months  ago,  so  I 
sha'n't  pay  a  penny." 

"  I  was  anxious  to  touch  a  portion  of  that  reward  for  my  men,  and  so 
made  a  rapid  search  for  my  friend's  noble  son-in-law.  I  found  him  at  Camp 
Reserve,  after  hearing  of  him  in  various  quarters,  disguised  as  a  miner.  He 
did  promise  me  most  faithfully  that  he  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  Miss 
Kitty  Stukely,  and  yet,  in  less  than  two  hours,  he  broke  his  word,  and  play- 
ed a  very  sharp  trick  on  an  old  policeman.  I  have  no  more  testimony  to 
offer,  for  I  had  no  orders  to  arrest,  and  no  grounds  to  make  one.  That  is 
my  share  in  the  business." 

"  You  hear,  Angus,"  said  my  wife  very  softly,  as  though  she  was  rather 
sorry  the  case  had  gone  against  me. 

"  Yes,  Florence,  and  every  word  is  false,  excepting  one  portion.  I  did 
kiss  your  maid  on  the  stairs,  but  it  was  while  I  was  laboring  under  a  slight 
aberation  of  mind,  and  did  not  really  know  what  I  was  doing." 

"  I  've  had  'emmeself  in  that  way  miny  and  miny  a  time.  All  men  is  lia- 
ble to  'em,  miss,  some  time  or  other,  married  or  single,"  interrupted  Mike, 
and,  while  the  Frenchman  grinned,  and  Mr.  Murden  smiled,  Florence  did 
not  appear  to  see  anything  laughable  in  the  matter,  but  turned  on  me  the 
full  battery  of  her  scorn. 

"  You  see,  Angus,  how  useless  it  is  for  you  to  defend  yourself  against 
the  charges  I  have  made  against  you.  Prove  them  false,  and  take  me,  even 
if  you  are  poor,  for  I  still  love  you." 

"  Not  much,"  cried  Mr.  Kebblewhite.  "  My  son-in-la\v  must  dress  my 
darter  as  a  lady.  If  yer  a'n't  a  nobleman,  and  yer  a'n't  got  no  money,  the 
thing  is  hoff,  yer  know.  I  '11  give  yer  ten  pounds  for  vot  yer  'as  done  for 
us,  but  Florence  must  'ave  a  'usband  vot  can  pony  up  the  cash,  yer  know." 

"  You  have  enough  for  all  of  us,  papa,"  Florence  said  in  a  determined 
tone. 


270  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  Yes,  and  'e  means  to  keep  it,"  was  the  response.  "  Yer  '11  git  a  di- 
worce,  and  find  a  swell  vot  ?as  the  brass,  and  I  '11  give  Angus  here  a  five- 
pun  note,  and  that  vill  be  hall  right,  and  satisfactory." 

"  He  '11  make  it  a  penny  in  a  little  while,"  muttered  Mike,  with  a  disdain- 
ful croak. 

"  Are  you  very  poor,  Angus  ?  "  asked  Florence,  once  more  laying  a  hand 
on  my  shoulder.  "  Have  you  money  enough  to  support  a  wife,  even  in 
humble  circumstances  ?  " 

"  I  am  poor,  Florence,  and  don't  think  I  have  enough  fortune  to  support 
you  as  you  have  been  accustomed  to." 

I  was  determined  that  if  she  took  me  she  should  do  so  for  myself  alone, 
and  not  for  money,  and,  although  I  had  a  good  large  sum,  I  did  n't  know- 
how  much  it  cost  to  dress  and  support  a  fashionable  young  lady,  so  deter- 
mined to  be  on  the  safe  side,  and  say  that  I  was  poor.  Let  a  wife  imagine 
that  you  are  making  money,  and  her  wants  will  increase  faster  than  your 
bank  account. 

"  I  am  very  skillful  at  housework,"  Florence  said,  as  though  thinking  of 
the  future.  "  I  can  dust,  I  have  made  a  bed,  and  once  I  tried  a  pie,  but  no 
one  would  eat  it." 

"  And  no  von  vould  or  could  lay  on  the  bed,"  her  father  remarked  to  the 
Frenchman,  who  nodded  his  head  in  acquiescence,  and  made  a  grimace,  as 
he  thought  of  that  terrible  pie. 

During  all  this  time,  although  we  had  been  conversing,  the  policemen 
had  not  been  idle.  They  had  assisted  the  wounded,  as  far  as  possible,  and 
one  of  them  had  secured  the  hound,  and  tied  him  to  a  tree,  and  not  till 
then  did  the  Chinamen  descend  from  the  she-oak,  and  grin  a  welcome  to 
the  traps. 

"  Black  Dick  and  Slipper  Sam  are  dead,  sir,"  reported  one  of  the  officers 
to  Mr.  Murden. 

"  Are  you  sure  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  quite  sure." 

"  Then  you  are  in  luck,"  turning  to  me.  "  A  reward  of  one  thousand 
pounds  will  be  paid  for  the  death  of  Dick,  and  five  hundred  for  Slipper 
Sam,  and  one  hundred  for  each  bushranger  of  less  note.  My  lord,  you  and 
your  associates  have  made  a  good  day's  work  of  it." 

"  Then  I  withdraw  the  reward  of  five  puns  which  I  offered  for  our  rescue," 
Mr.  Kebblewhite  said,  in  a  hasty  tone. 

"  I  knew  he  would  come  to  it  at  last,"  whispered  Mike.  "  Oh  !  the  mane 
baste." 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  271 

"  And,  as  I  did  some  of  the  fightin',  J  think  I  ought  to  share  the  reward," 
Mr.  Kebblewhite  continued. 

The  Frenchman's  face  expressed  the  disgust  which  he  felt,  as  he  said,  — 

"  My  life,  and  dear  all  that  I  hold,  owe  I  to  milord.  If  poor  he  is,  all  that 
have  I  is  his.  He  shall  keep  the  petite  for  his  femme.  Spoken  have  I." 

"And  a  very  noice  koincl  of  a  spach  it  was,"  cried  Mike.  "  It  does  hon- 
or to  yer  heart,  and  should  have  come  from  the  mouth  of  a  son  of  Ould  Oire- 
land,  bedad." 

"  Mr.  Murclen,"  I  said,  and  a  twinge  in  my  arm  began  to  show  that  I  was 
wounded,  and  a  little  weak  from  the  loss  of  blood,  "  I  would  not  take  a  pen- 
ny for  the  death  of  those  men,  or  the  capture  of  the  living,  if  I  never  had  a 
copper  in  my  pockets.  It  would  smell  of  blood,  and  the  money  would  burn 
in  my  hands,  and  bring  no  happiness  to  me.  Let  the  reward  be  distributed 
among  Mike  and  the  Chinamen.  I  will  have  none  of  it." 

"  Anoother  sentiment  worthy  of  Ould  Oireland,"  cried  Mike.  "  But  I 
have  no  sich  delicacy,  and  don't  be  afeared  to  offend  me  by  givin'  me  the 
lion's  share,  for,  sure,  it 's  little  the  hathen  did  at  the  pinch." 

"  We  will  arrange  it  to  your  satisfaction,"  the  Chief  said.  "  There  shall 
be  no  trouble  about  distributing  the  rewards,  although  I  could  have  wished 
that  my  men  had  had  a  share.  But,  as  they  did  not  take  a  hand  in  the 
fight,  we  must  go  without  it." 

"  Sure,  there  was  fight  enough  for  all,  while  it  lasted,"  Mike  responded. 
"  At  one  toime  I  'd  have  given  a  few  puns  out  of  me  own  pocket  had  yer 
but  bin  near  us,  and  ready  to  lend  a  hand.  But,  the  Lord  be  praised,  we 
won,  and  our  reward  is  the  greater." 

Mr.  Murden  was  about  to  leave  us,  when  Mike  noticed  blood  slowly 
trickling:  down  my  left  arm,  and  staining  the  ground,  and  green  grass. 

"  Sure,"  he  cried,  coming  toward  me,  "  Mr.  Hangus  is  hit,  and  blaedin' 
loike  a  pig,  and  we  knows  nothin'  about  it,  and  a-settiir  here,  and  chatterin' 
loike  ould  parrots.  Sure,  yer  honor,  it  's  not  bad,  I  hope  ?  " 

"  A  mere  cut,  Mike,  but  it  needs  dressing,  for  it  has  bied  quite  freely,  and 
is  painful." 

Mike  rolled  up  the  flannel  shirt-sleeve,  and  T  saw  that  the  point  of  Black 
Dick's  knife  had  entered  the  fleshy  part  of  my  arm,  and  made  a  wound 
about  an  inch  long.  Luckily  the  weapon  had  not  touched  the  bone,  or  cut 
an  artery;  but  my  escaoe  was  a  narrow  one. 

"  Come  here,  yer  hathens,  wid  the  water  and  the  brandy,"  roared  Mike, 
addressing  the  two  Chinamen,  who  had  descended  from  the  tree  some  time 
before,  feeling  assured  that  the  blood-hound  would  not  molest,  or  the  polic-; 


2/2  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

arrest,  them,  and,  in  obedience  to  the  summons,  they  advanced,  and  gave 
Mike  the  brandy  flask,  and  a  water-bottle. 

"  Take  a  sip  of  the  sperit,  yer  honor,"  Mike  said.  "  It  will  put  life  in  yer 
heart,  and  strength  in  yer  busom.  That  's  right.  Now  we  '11  wash  away 
the  blood,  and  put  on  a  bandage  in  no  time." 

"  Let  one  of  my  men,  who  is  something  of  a  surgeon,  attend  to  the 
wound,"  the  Chief  said.  "  It  is  not  dangerous,  but  will  render  the  arm  stiff 
for  a  few  days." 

"  Divil  a  man  prisent  dresses  the  cut  but  me,"  Mike  answered,  a  little 
brusquely.  "  I  can  do  it  as  will  as  any  sargeon  in  the  force,  for  it  's  sich 
things  we  is  used  to  in  Ould  Oireland.  Here,  hathen,  bring  me  a  smokin' 
brand  from  the  fire." 

The  Chinamen  looked  puzzled,  but  just  then  Florence  left  the  side  of  her 
father,  and  came  toward  me. 

"  Angus,"  she  asked,  in  a  low,  sweet,  sad  voice,  "  will  you  let  me  dress 
your  wound  ?  I  did  not  know  that  you  were  hurt." 

"  I  fear  that  the  sight  of  blood  will  cause  you  to  faint,  but,  if  you  wish,  I 
shall  be  glad  of  your  help,"  I  answered,  pleased  at  her  kindness. 

"  I  shall  not  faint,  and  I  will  do  all  that  1  can  to  relieve  your  sufferings, 
but  you  must  never,  never  ask  me  to  forgive  you,  for  I  feel  that  I  cannot. 
You  have  been  too  wicked  and  cruel  for  mercy  at  my  hands." 

"Ah,  miss,  don't  talk  to  the  poor  young  gintleman  in  that  way.  Sure,  he 
has  n't  a  cruel  bone  in  his  whole  body,  and  he  loves  yer  to  distraction,  and 
ivery  night  he  drames  of  yer,  or  some  one  else,  and  calls  yer  name,  and 
mourns  for  yer." 

Now  this  would  have  been  splendid,  and  helped  me  in  my  wife's  favor, 
for,  when  she  said  she  never  would  forgive  me,  it  meant  that  she  was  all 
ready  to  do  so,  if  a  little  urging  was  resorted  to ;  but  poor,  blundering  Mike, 
with  the  best  intentions  in  the  world,  and  who  was  willing  to  do  a  little  lying 
for  my  sake,  as  men  usually  are  where  a  woman  is  concerned,  overshot  the 
mark,  and  made  a  complete  failure. 

"  Whose  name  does  he  mention  in  his  dreams  ?  "  asked  Florence,  as  she 
knelt  by  my  side,  and  her  face  assumed  a  most  angelic  expression  while 
holding  my  arm. 

Now  if  Mike  had  only  said,  "  It  is  your  own,  miss,"  all  would  have  been 
well,  and  my  lovely  little  wife  would  have  had  her  head  pillowed  on  my 
heart  in  a  moment's  time,  but,  unfortunately,  he  did  not  remember  Flor- 
ence's name,  and  so  uttered  the  very  one.  that  he  should  not  have  men- 
tioned. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  273 

"  Sure,  miss,  he  says  in  his  drames,  '  Me  own  dear  wife,  Kitty,  how  I  love 
yer.' " 

"What?"  cried  Florence,  dropping  my  arm,  and  starting  up,  with  an^er 
on  her  face. 

Poor  Mike  thought  he  had  not  put  the  case  strong  enough,  and  so  con- 
tinued to  add  more  testimony,  — 

"  And  it  's  day  after  day,  and  night  after  night,  he  spakes  of  his  Kitty, 
and  drames  of  her,  and,  O  miss,  he  loves  yer  wid  his  whole  heart,  and  don't 
yer  iver  forget  it." 

"  No,"  said  the  indignant  little  fury,  "  I  never  will  forget  it ;  and  yet  I 
was  fool  enough  to  love  this  man  in  spite  of  all  the  reports  that  I  have  heard 
ot  his  liaisons.  You  wretch  !  Don't  you  ever  speak  to  me  again.  I  want 
to  go  home  to  mamma." 

"Yes,  I  shall,  Florence,"  I  answered.  "When  I  can  prove  to  you  that  I 
have  been  honest  and  true,  and  that  my  love  for  you  has  never  swerved, 
and  never  will,  then,  O  my  darling,  I  shall  speak  to  you,  and  you  will  listen 
to  me." 

"How  long  before  that  time  will  arrive?"  my  wife  asked,  a  little  more 
appeased,  still  lingering  near  me,  as  though  loath  to  depart. 

Again  Mike  blundered,  and  yet  with  the  best  intention  in  the  world. 

"  Sure,  miss,  yer  should  have  sane  him  at  Webber's,  if  yer  has  doubts  of 
his  love  for  yer.  Faith,  ould  Webber's  darter  come  up  to  him,  and  put  her 
arms  around  his  neck,  and  kissed  him  half  a  dozen  times,  and  his  honor  was 
so  indignant  that  he  could  n't  spake  for  tin  minutes,  and  thin  he  said  she 
must  n't  do  that  any  more,  for  he  was  a  married  man,  or  wanted  to  be  one, 
I  disremember  which." 

"  Take  me  home  to  my  mamma,"  the  trembling  little  woman  said,  and 
burst  into  a  flood  of  tears. 

"  O  Mike,  Mike,"  I  moaned,  "  you  have  done  it  now." 

**  Faith,  sur,  1  think  I  have,  but  in  what  way  is  a  puzzle  to  me.  I  did  the 
best  I  could  for  yer,  but  the  lady  don't  same  to  take  kindly  to  yer,  for  some 
rason  or  other." 

"  If. there  is  a  mean  man  in  this  world,  if  there  is  one  that  I  thoroughly 
despise  and  hate,  it  is  you,"  Florence  said,  brushing  away  a  tear,  and  look- 
ing at  me  as  though  she  believed  every  word  that  she  uttered,  but  I  knew 
that  she  did  not,  because  she  was  only  jealous,  and  a  jealous  woman  is  lost 
to  all  sense  of  truthfulness,  and  has  no  control  of  her  temper.  For  a  while 
she  is  a  fury,  and  cannot  distinguish  between  right  and  wrong.  "  You  say 
you  love,  me,  and  feel  proud  of  being  my  husband,  and  what  do  1  find  ?  " 


274  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  Yer  find  him  fightin'  loike  a  brave  man  for  yer  loif  and  yer  liberta,  and 
there  's  not  miny  is  loike  him,  miss,  now  I  tell  yer,"  Mike  said,  in  an  indig- 
nant tone. 

"  You  mind  your  own  business,"  the  iady  cried.  "  I  can  manage  my  own 
affairs  without  your  interference.  1  loved  this  man,  would  have  lived  in  a 
fourth-class  hotel  with  him,  would  have  almost  waited  on  myself,  when  I 
was  not  tired,  for  his  sake.  But  now  I  have  done  with  him.  I  will  no  lon- 
ger be  his  wife,  whether  he  is  lord  or  Yankee." 

"  Thra  chaers  for  the  Yanka,"  roared  Mike,  who  was  not  in  the  least 
abashed  with  the  tirade  of  words,  but  Florence  fled  after  one  regretful  glance 
at  my  face,  and  I  could  not  win  her  back  to  me.  She  did  not  even  look  at 
me,  and  I  really  believe  she  hoped  my  arm  would  pain  me  as  a  punishment 
for  my  crimes.  If  Mike  had  held  his  tongue,  I  really  think  that  I  could 
have  convinced  her,  while  dressing  my  wound,  that  I  was  not  the  one  who 
was  masquerading  through  the  country,  making  love  to  every  fresh  face 
that  could  be  found,  and  promising  marriage  to  a  dozen  women,  and  yet  not 
coming  up  to  the  mark  when  time  was  called.  But  it  was  no  use,  and  I 
could  only  sigh  my  regrets,  as  Mike  bound  on  a  bandage,  wet  with  brandy, 
and  then  held  my  arm  over  a  smoking  brand,  to  take  out  the  soreness,  and 
heal  the  cut,  as  he  said,  and  a  very  good  remedy  I  found  it,  as  it  is  much 
used  by  the  black  fellows  to  cure  their  horrible  self-mutilations,  on  breast 
and  other  parts' of  the  body. 

"  Shall  I  go  to  the  lady,  and  spake  to  her  agin,  and  sa  if  I  can't  move 
her?  "  asked  Mike,  as  he  put  the  finishing  touches  to  my  arm,  noticing  my 
deep,  dejected  look. 

"  No,  Mike,  you  are  not  skillful  in  matters  of  the  heart.  I  must  trust  to 
time,  and  my  own  exertions." 

"  Thin  the  saints  help  yer,  sur,  for,  sure,  yer  knows  no  more  about  a  wo- 
man's heart  than  yer  do  of  the  trails  in  this  pace  of  bush.  A  moment  ago, 
if  yer  had  but  held  out  yer  arms,  she  would  have  tumbled  into  them,  as  aisy 
as  a  drunken  miner  falls  down  a  shaft  of  a  dark  night.  But  yer  lit  the  op- 
portunity go  by,  and  now  where  are  yer  ?  And  after  all  !  had  done  for  yer 
too.  O  Mr.  Hangus,  will  yer  niver  larn  that  a  bold  front,  and  a  little  lyin', 
is  all  that  the  bist  of  'em  wants,  to  make  'em  think  that  the  world  has  but 
one  parfect  man,  and  that  man  is  her  own.  Will,  will,  I  sa  that  I  shall 
have  much  trouble  in  yer  edication,  if  yer  mane  to  run  arter  women  instid 
of  settlin'  down  to  real  domestic  life." 

Mike's  assurance  was  amusing,  and  yet  he  was  really  unconscious  that  he 
had  brought  much  trouble  upon  my  head  by  his  thoughtless  chatter. 


The  &elle  of  Australia.  275 


"  If  your  lordship  is  ready  we  will  now  look  over  the  prisoners,  and  see 
what  is  to  be  done  with  them,"  Mr.  Murden  said.  "  Of  course  you  are  will- 
ing that  they  should  be  turned  over  to  my  men,  as  we  can  take  care  ct 
them?" 

"  Certainly,  but  there  is  one  thing  I  wish  you  would  oblige  me  in,"  I 
said. 

*'  Yes,  you  have  but  to  name  it." 

"  You  will  persist  in  calling  me  a  lord.  I  have  denied  it  from  the  even- 
ing when  we  first  met  until  the  present  time." 

"  And  now  you  admit  the  fact  ?  " 

"No,  sir,  I  admit  nothing  of  the  kind.  I  am  not  a  lord,  I  have  no  right 
to  a  title,  I  don't  want  one,  and  feel  content  with  being  an  American  citi- 
zen." 

The  Ciiief  whistled  softly,  and  looked  at  Florence  and  her  father,  who 
were  sheltered  from  the  hot  sun  by  some  branches,  cut  from  the  trees 
by  the  attentive  Frenchman. 

"  What  name  do  you  wish  to  be  called  by,  my  lord  ?  I  beg  pardon, 
Mr.  "  - 

"  Angus,"  was  my  answer.     "  As  I  told  you  before." 

"Very  well,  Mr.  Angus,  I  will  respect  your  whim,  if  you  will  answer  me 
one  question." 

"  Certainly,  sir.     Ask  it." 

"  How  did  you  disappear  the  night  you  left  Camp  Reserve  with  Kitty  ? 
I  followed  with  a  tracker,  one  of  the  best  in  the  country,  and  you  threw 
me  off  the  scent,  and  1  never  recovered  it." 

**  And  yet  if  you  had  returned  to  the  mines,  you  would  have  found  me 
there,  for  I  never  left  them,  and  I  have  not  seen  Miss  Kitty  since  the  night 
I  parted  from  her,  and  left  her  in  charge  of  Mother  Higgins." 

The  Chief  whistled  a  waltz,  and  did  not  seem  inclined  to  pursue  the  crn- 
versation.  He  still  thought  I  was  romancing  for  some  purpose  or  other, 
but  what  that  purpose  was  he  could  not  surmise. 

"  As  you  please,"  he  said,  and  then,  looking  at  Mr.  Kebblewhite,  ask- 
ed, "  Have  you  learned  your  father-in-law's  history  as  yet?  " 

"  Yes,  Mike  related  it  to  me  some  months  since." 

"  I  might  have  suspected  it.  He  was  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  Kebblewhite 
while  a  ticket-of-leave  man,  and  knew  all  about  him.  Has  it  changed  your 
sentiments  toward  the  voung  lady  now  your  wife  ?  " 

"  No,  she  is  just  as  dear  to  me  as  the  night  I  left  her  so  abruptly.  1  still 
love  her,  and  always  shall,  but  she  will  not  believe  in  me  until  the  Earl  of 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


Afton  and  I  are  brought  face  to  face,  and  this,  Mr.  Murden,  you  must  do  for 
me." 

The  Chief  shrugged  his  shoulders,  and  again  laughed,  a  polite  laugh,  but 
an  incredulous  one. 

"  I  can't  perform  miracles,  Mr.  Angus,  and  you  should  know  it." 

"You  can  do  an  act  of  justice,  and  must  do  it,  Mr.  Murden.  Some- 
where in  this  vicinity  the  Earl  of  Afton,  if  there  is  such  a  man,  is  conceal- 
ed, and  with  him  is  the  girl  Kitty.  To  you  I  look  for  solving  this  terrible 
mystery." 

"  How  ?  " 

"  Send  out  these  men,  with  instructions  to  visit  every  sheep-run  in  Victo- 
toria,  or  at  least  in  this  section  of  the  country.  Let  them  question  every 
stockman  they  meet,  every  native  black,  go  from  one  place  to  another,  never 
lett'ng  the  scent  grow  cold,  always  insisting  upon  searching  the  huts  of  the 
shepherds,  and  I  will  guarantee  that  the  noble  earl  will  be  unearthed,  and 
placed  before  me,  and  that  I  shall  be  vindicated  from  some  of  the  charges 
that  now  hang  over  my  head." 

"  The  undertaking  is  a  formidable  one.  What  reward  can  I  offer  my 
men  if  successful  ?  A  reward  to  a  policeman  is  like  an  opiate,  —  it  either 
puts  him  to  sleep,  or  makes  him  wild  to  distinguish  himself.  If  he  can  make 
more  by  slumbering,  his  dreams  are  serene,  and  if  there  is  money  in  vigi- 
lance, he  can  keep  on  a  trail  day  and  night,  for  a  week,  and  feel  no  fatigue." 

"  Mr.  Kebblewhite  offered  a  hundred  pounds'  reward  for  me,  did  he 
not?  " 

"  Yes  ;  but  he  supposed  that  you  were  a  great  lord,  and  had  wandered  off, 
insane  from  happiness.  I  did  not  tell  him  the  cause,  for,  to  speak  the 
truth,  I  considered  you  a  little  loony  at  that  time,  and  I  think  you  are  now. 
But  you  have  your  reasons  for  acting  as  you  do,  and  I  am  satisfied.  Some 
swells  have  funny  fancies.  Sometimes  they  think  it  cunning  and  pretty  to 
chatter  and  grin  like  idiots,  at  other  moments  they  dress  as  monkeys,  and 
look  as  near  like  fools  as  possible.  But  you  have  your  peculiarities,  and  I 
am  satisfied.  Now  about  the  reward." 

"Would  your  men  be  satisfied  with  a  reward  of  two  hundred  pounds  if 
they  should  find  my  *  Dromio  '  ?  " 

"  Yes,  they  would  be  delighted  to  earn  the  money,  but  it  seems  a  pity  to 
send  my  fellows  scampering  all  over  the  country,  when  I  know  it  will  be  of 
no  use." 

"  At  least  let  them  try  the  experiment.  They  shall  be  paid  if  they  suc- 
ceed, and  shall  be  rewarded  if  they  do  not.  Is  it  a  bargnin  ?" 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  277 

••  Yes  ;  if  you  are  in  earnest." 

"  Then  call  your  men  together,  and  state  what  I  want  of  them." 

The  Chief  did  so,  and  all  took  a  square,  policeman-like  look  at  me,  so 
that  they  would  be  likely  to  know  me  again.  Then  they  were  instructed  to 
make  search  for  a  person  just  like  me,  and  to  arrest  him,  and  take  him  to 
Melbourne,  and  hold  him  at  the  Chief's  private  office  until  Mr.  Murden 
ordered  his  discharge.  No  violence  was  to  be  offered,  and  the  party  was  to 
be  treated  with  respect.  Then  the  men  were  informed  that  a  reward  of  two 
hundred  pounds  was  to  be  paid  for  the  arrest,  and  that  the  money  would  be 
placed  in  the  Chief's  hands  in  a  few  days.  If,  however,  the  men  should 
meet  me  on  the  road,  and  could  not  tell  whether  I  was  myself  or  my  double, 
then  I  was  to  make  a  peculiar  sign,  and  the  traps  would  know  that  I  was 
not  the  one  desired,  and  so  let  me  pass.  This  was  necessary,  as  I  should 
have  to  return  to  Camp  Reserve  to  settle  up  a  few  business  details,  before 
I  went  to  Melbourne. 

"  Tomorrow  you  can  commence  your  search,"  Mr.  Murden  said.  "  Now 
we  must  take  care  of  the  dead,  and  the  prisoners.  I  will  send  the  latter 
direct  to  the  city  by  the  men  who  are  waiting  for  us  at  Smith's,  and  de- 
spatch a  part\  to  bury  Dick  and  Sam.  Let  them  rest  where  they  fell. 
There  is  no  n^'  I  <~  ~  <x^:ral  funeral  ceremonies  over  the  remains  of  two  of 
the  greatest  s"  undrels  that  have  roamed  the  bush  for  years.  A  common 
grave  shall  hold  them.  Let  one  of  the  men  ride  over  to  Smith's  and  order 
the  rest  of  the  force  here,  and  tell  them  to  bring  a  couple  of  spades,  and 
three  or  four  led  horses,  one  of  them  with  a  lady's  saddle.  It  's  no  use  to 
talk  of  carriages  here.  We  can't  get  one  through  the  scrub;  and,  by  the 
way,  tell  Mr.  Smith  we  shall  all  drop  down  on  him  about  dinner  time,  so 
that  he  can  be  prepared.  Let  one  of  the  men  search  for  the  bushrangers' 
horses.  They  must  be  hobbled  near  here.  Bring  them  in,  if  you  find 
them,  and  put  the  saddles  on.  I  see  them  lying  under  that  scrub.  Better 
take  that  hound,  Martin,  if  he  will  follow  you.  He  is  dangerous  to  have 
around.  Tell  Smith  he  did  nobly,  and  to  tie  him  up.  He  has  his  father's 
blood,  and  is  the  best  dog  in  the  country  for  a  trail." 

All  these  orders  were  given  in  an  off-handed  manner,  as  though  Mr. 
Murden  was  accustomed  to  command,  and  to  have  his  commands  obeyed. 

"  The  American  gentlemen  I  spoke  to  you  about,  the  first  evening  we 
met,  owned  a  wonderful  hound,  and  this  is  a  direct  descendant.  Like  his 
ancestor  he  is  named  Rover,  and  is  nearly  as  good,  but  much  more  savage. 
Rover,  this  gentleman  says  that  he  is  an  American.  Will  you  shake  hands 
with  an  American,  old  boy?  " 


278  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

The  huge  animal  looked  at  me  for  a  moment  in  savage  grandeur,  then 
slowly  raised  one  of  his  paws,  and  put  it  in  my  hand. 
"  Is  he  a  Yankee,  Rover  ?  " 

The  hound  threw  up  his  head,  and  uttered  a  roar  that  could  have  been 
heard  half  a  mile  distant,  and  again  nearly  drove  Mr.  Kebblewhite  and  the 
Chinamen  into  the  tree-tops  with  fear. 

"  That  settles  your  case,"  said  the  Chief,  with  a  puzzled  look.  "  Rover 
can  tell  nationality  as  well  as  a  human  being.  I  never  knew  him  to  make  a 
mistake.  He  is  your  friend  now  for  life,  and  will  do  your  bidding  much 
better  than  mine.  All  of  the  blood  are  alike  in  that  respect.  Ask  him  if 
you  are  a  Chinaman." 

I  did  so.  He  showed  his  teeth,  and  an  open  mouth,  like  a  cavern,  while 
a  howl  of  intense  disgust  broke  upon  our  ears,  and  rattled  off  toward  the 
mountains,  awakening  the  sleeping  dingos,  and  stirring  to  a  flutter  the 
drowsy  parrots. 

"  Good  boy,"  I  said,  and  patted  his  massive  head,  and,  although  the  po- 
liceman called  the  animal,  to  take  him  to  Smith's,  his  owner,  the  hound  re- 
fused to  pay  the  least  attention  to  the  command,  but  followed  me  around 
and  laid  down  at  my  feet  if  I  rested  for  a  moment. 

"  Mr.  Murden,"  I  said,  as  soon  as  he  had  issued  his  orders,  "  I  want  you 
to  do  me  another  favor." 

"  What !  a  second  one  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  and  not  difficult  to  grant." 

"  Name  it,  and  let  me  be  the  judge  on  that  point." 

"  That  poor  fellow,  who  is  tied  up,  and  looks  at  me  so  beseechingly,  was 
once  a  shipmate  of  mine.  He  is  a  sailor,  and  has  had  hard  usage.  He  is 
not  a  bad  one,  as  I  happen  to  know.  Can't  you  let  him  escape  acciden- 
tally ?  " 

"  Good  Heaven !  do  you  know  what  you  are  asking  me  to  do  ?  "  cried  the 
Chief. 

"  Yes,  to  perform  a  good  action.  Let  him  be  carelessly  guarded,  and 
slip  away  tonight,  and  make  the  best  of  his  course  to  Melbourne,  where  he 
can  find  a  ship.  I  will  see  that  he  has  enough  money  to  support  him  until 
he  obtains  a  vessel." 

"  The  devil !     Do  you  know  what  kind  of  a  job  you  are  giving  me  ?  " 

"  Yes,  an  easy  one.  Take  all  the  rest,  and  do  with  them  as  you  will,  but 
set  Jack  free." 

"  You  are  in  earnest  in  this  matter  ?  " 

"  Yes,  quite  serious." 


The  Belle  o    Australia. 


"  Well,  I  '11  think  of  it,  and,  perhaps,  it  can  be  brought  about.  But  it  's 
difficult.'' 

"  I  have  another  reason  for  asking,"  I  whispered.  "He  has  revealed  to 
me  where  all  the  treasure  the  bushrangers  have  stolen  for  the  last  two 
years  is  hidden.*' 

"  Certain,  sure  ?  " 

"  I  think  so/' 

"  And  what  do  you  propose  to  do  with  it  ?  " 

"You  and  I  will  share  in  the  spoil,  Mr.  Murden.  We  will  take  the  dust 
and  gold,  and  the  bank-notes  you  can  advertise  as  having  been  found  on  the 
persons  of  the  bushrangers." 

"  A  devilish  good  idea.  Your  friend  shall  step  out  this  very  night,  and 
we  will  lift  the  deposit  as  soon  as  you  please.  Name  the  hour." 

';  This  afternoon.  But  we  can  hold  on  to  Jack  until  we  find  out  if  his 
statement  is  correct,  and  to  prevent  his  forestalling  us." 

"  I  see.  You  were  born  for  a  policeman.  How  far  shall  we  have  to  trav- 
el to  find  the  spot  ?  "  asked  the  Chief  eagerly. 

"  That  I  can't  tell  you  just  now.  Jack's  yarn  may  be  true  or  false.  If 
true,  no  one  will  be  the  wiser.  If  false,  you  will  let  him  go  just  the  same  ? 
Promise  me  that." 

"  It  is  hard,  but  I  promise.  If  the  packages  of  dust  and  nuggets  can  be 
identified  we  should  be  bound  to  restore  them  to  their  original  owners," 
sighed  Mr.  Murden. 

"  But  that  need  not  trouble  you.  All  the  plunder  was  poured  into  a  com- 
mon lot,  coin  and  dust,  and  the  bags  and  purses  destroyed." 

"  That  relieves  my  conscience  amazingly.  Cunning  rascals,  they  wanted 
all  evidence  destroyed.  They  did  well.  We  sha'n't  have  to  advertise  for 
owners.  Ah,  this  reminds  me  of  old  times.  I  feel  as  though  I  was  grow- 
ing young  again,  when  my  American  frieuds  and  myself  roamed  all  over 
this  district,  and  made  it  rather  lively  for  the  gangs  of  bushrangers  who  in 
fested  some  parts  of  the  country." 

At  this  moment  one  of  the  officers  approached  us,  and  reported  to  the 
Chief  that  the  bushranger  who  had  been  injured  in  the  leg,  a  bone  being 
broken,  it  was  supposed,  looked  like  an  old  offender,  but  no  one  could  place 
him. 

"  Let  me  see  him,"  said  the  Chief.  "  If  he  is  an  old  convict  I  think  I 
shall  be  able  to  give  some  account  of  him." 

We  walked  over  to  the  shade  of  a  gum  tree,  where  the  wounded  men  had 
been  humanely  placed  by  the  police,  and  there,  sitting  on  the  ground,  with 


280  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

his  back  to  the  tree,  sat  the  man  who  was  dressed  in  the  quiet,  gray  clothes 
of  a  Quaker,  and  the  same  person  who  had  accosted  me  in  the  streets  of 
Ballarat  the  night  before,  and  who  had  given  me  the  information  of  the  con- 
templated abduction  of  Florence  and  her  party,  the  man  whom  I  had  first 
seen  on  Mike's  team,  and  who  had  left  us  before  we  reached  Webber's.  In 
fact,  the  wounded  robber  was  no  other  than  Aramena  Meully,  the  Quaker, 
traveling  through  the  mines  and  country,  to  obtain  funds  to  erect  a  Friends' 
meeting-house  in  Melbourne,  as  he  had  repeatedly  stated. 

"Thou  seest  before  thee  a  very  unfortunate  friend,"  said  Meully,  as  we 
approached.  "  Taken  captive  by  the  blood-thirsty  wretches,  held  by  them 
for  three  days  and  nights,  and  thus  prevented  from  prosecuting  my  sacred 
mission,  I  desire  to  thank  thee  for  my  deliverance." 

Mr.  Murden  did  not  answer.  He  was  looking  very  attentively  at  the 
Quaker,  as  though  trying  to  remember  where  he  had  seen  him  before,  and 
under  what  circumstances, 

"  I  know  your  face,"  the  Chief  said.     "  I  have  seen  it  somewhere." 

"  Thou  hast.  We  have  met  quite  frequently  in  Melbourne,  where  I  pur- 
sue my  humble  calling,  a  member  of  the  small  family  of  Friends.  Wouldst 
thou  contribute  a  moderate  sum  of  money  to  aid  our  cause  ? " 

"Jack,"  I  asked,  "is  the  man's  story  true  ?  " 

"  I  don't  go  back  on  a  messmate  to  save  my  neck,"  was  the  firm  reply. 

"  Can  you  answer  the  question  ?  "  asked  Mr.  Murden  of  another  fellow, 
who  was  nearly  dead  from  pain,  a  shot  from  my  revolver  having  passed 
through  his  hand,  just  as  he  had  been  drawing  on  me,  when  I  sprang  into 
the  clearing. 

"  You  believes  what  you  please?"  was  the  sullen  answer. 

"  If  thou  will  lend  me  a  horse  to  get  to  Ballarat,  I  shall  find  friends  there 
who  will  aid  me  until  my  health  is  once  more  restored,"  whined  the  Quaker. 

"  Did  n't  I  see  you  at  Camp  Reserve  last  evening  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Thou  couldst  not,  my  friend.  I  was  here,  a  fast  prisoner,  and  much 
did  my  spirit  chafe  at  the  detention,  and  the  unholy  orgies  of  these  bad 
men." 

There  was  considerable  whine  to  the  Quaker's  tones,  and  he  overdid  it  a 
little,  for  suddenly  Mr.  Murden  struck  his  hands  together,  and  ex- 
claimed, — 

"  Why,  you  blanked  old  scoundrel !  It  's  Steel  Spring,  boys.  You  have 
heard  of  him.  He  was  discharged  from  prison  a  little  while  ago,"  and 
Murden  danced  with  delight. 

The  policemen  crowded  around  to  get  a  glimpse  at  the  face  of  one  of 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


the  most  celebrated  bushrangers  that  ever  infested  Victoria,  or  any  other 
part  of  Australia. 

"  Thou  art  mistaken,  friend.  I  am  an  honest  man,  and  a  true  member  of 
the  society  of  Friends.  All  Melbourne  knows  me,  and  thousands  in  Gelong 
love  me." 

"  I  recollect  the  old  rascal  now,  your  honor,"  said  one  of  the  younger 
members  of  the  police.  "  I  saw  him  while  in  prison,  and  on  the  day  he  was 
discharged.  He  was  taken  care  of  by  a  Mr.  Meully,  a  good  Quaker  of  Ge- 
long, who  hoped  to  make  a  useful  man  of  him.  While  with  him  he  must 
have  learned  to  palaver  as  he  does,  and,  after  he  got  proficient,  dusted  out 
at  his  old  trade.  I  have  met  the  cove  half  a  dozen  times  on  the  road  within 
the  last  few  months,  and  never  suspected  that  he  was  on  the  fly.  Yet,  con- 
found him,  he  always  led  me  along  to  speak  of  the  traps,  and  what  they 
were  doing.  It  is  Steel  Spring,  sure  enough.  I  could  swear  to  him  any- 
where." 

The  face  of  the  pseudo  Quaker  never  changed  so  much  as  by  the  quiver 
of  a  muscle,  and  his  eyes  looked  firmly  at  us  as  the  charges  were  made.  He 
had  a  wonderful  command  of  countenance,  and  it  stood  him  in  need  just  at 
that  time. 

"  Thou  art  all  mistaken,  friends,"  he  said.  "  I  am  only  what  I  seem,  — a 
poor  member  of  the  society  of  Friends." 

"Oh,  stock  it,"  cried  the  wounded  bushranger,  who  was  tired,  and  sick 
with  pain.  "  Own  up  like  a  son  of  a  gun  that  you  are,  and  don't  come  none 
of  the  Quaker  dodges  here.  They  knows  you,  and  it  's  no  use." 

"  Vot  does  yer  mean,  yer  miserable  vhelp  ?  "  the  so-called  Quaker  re- 
sponded, a  sudden  change  coming  over  his  placid  face,  as  well  as  his 
tongue.  "  If  I  vos  as  bad  as  yer  is  I  'd  be  the  devil,  or  anything  but  a  'uman 
being.  Yer  'as  committed  crimes  enough  to  'ang  yer  a  dozen  times  and 
hover,  vhile  I  'as  only  acted  as  a  spy  sence  I  jined  the  gang,  and  never  'urt 
a  'umnn  being,  so  'elp  me  'Eaven." 

It  was  surprising  to  see  how  the  fellow  had  changed  from  a  peaceable-like 
Quaker  to  a  fiend,  and  his  calm,  quiet  words,  well  chosen,  and  correctly 
spoken,  gave  place  to  the  slang  which  he  had  been  accustomed  to  use  when 
mixing  with  his  companions  in  crime.  He  was  a  wonderful  man  in  many 
respects,  and  the  like  was  never  seen  in  Australia,  or  any  other  land,  wheth 
er  we  consider  his  low  cunning,  or  the  remarkable  manner  in  which  he 
could  twist  his  thin  form  and  legs  in  all  sorts  of  shapes  and  grotesque 
figures. 

"  It  is  Steel  Spring,"  said  Mr.  Murden.     "No  one  can  mistake  that  voice 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


or  look.  We  have  got  you  again,  old  fellow,  and  now  it  will  be  a  lifer,  and 
no  mistake." 

"  Blank  yer  all,"  the  fellow  snarled.  "  I  vish  that  I  could  live  my  life 
over  again.  I  would  show  yer  less  mercy  than  I  'ave  in  the  past.  But  I 
cheated  yer  as  a  Quaker,  and  not  von  of  yer  smartest  traps  picked  me  up, 
and  I  a  dodgin'  of  'em  every  day.  Ah,  and  yer  call  the  perlice  smart,  don't 
yer  ?  Vy,  right  'ere  in  yer  midst  is  a  swell  vot  'as  been  vid  us  for  months 
past,  'e  and  'is  gal,  and  yer  don't  lay  a  'and  on  'im,  'cos  'e  suddenly  plays  the 
traitor,  and  sells  us  hout.  Ah,  if  ve  'ad  but  known  it  a  few  'ours  ago. 
Honly  a  few  'ours." 

"•  Who  do  you  mean  ?  "  asked  Mr.  Murden,  with  sudden  interest. 

"  That  's  the  von  I  mean,"  responded  St^el  Spring,  pointing  to  me.  "  'E 
and  his  gal  'as  been  vid  us,  and  Black  Dick  and  Slipper  Sam  said  1e  vos  all 
right,  and  keepin'  hout  of  the  vay  of  the  traps,  for  some  crime  in  Mel- 
bourne. Now  'e  turns  on  us,  just  as  I  knew  'e  vould.  Ve  should  'ave 
twisted  his  neck  ven  ve  'ad  the  chance." 

I  was  not  surprised  at  the  charge,  and  neither  was  Mr.  Murden.  He  had 
listened  attentively  to  all  that  Steel  Spring  said. 

"  You  see,  Mr.  Chief,  that  the  Earl  of  Afton  is  in  the  neighborhood.  You 
can  find  him,  and,  perhaps,  these  fellows  may  give  you  a  clew ;  "  but  all 
that  we  could  say  would  not  open  the  mouths  of  the  prisoners,  and  even 
Jack  did  not  state  in  what  direction  was  the  hut  in  which  my  double  and 
the  girl  were  living,  or  on  whose  run  it  was. 

By  this  time  it  was  noon,  and  the  dry  weather  still  remained.  The  po- 
licemen had  arrived  with  several  led  horses,  and  one  with  a  side  saddle,  for 
Florence.  The  bushrangers'  animals,  all  stolen  from  Smith's  run,  were 
driven  in,  and  saddled,  and  while  two  of  the  officers  dug  a  common  grave 
for  Black  Dick  and  Slipper  Sam,  the  rest  of  us  prepared  to  get  ready  to 
start  for  Smith's  house.  I  sent  Mike  and  the  two  Chinamen  to  find  the 
horse  and  wagon  we  had  left  in  the  bush,  and  directed  them  to  drive  to  the 
stockman's  as  soon  as  possible,  so  that  the  animal  could  be  fed,  and  we  re- 
turn home  in  the  evening. 

"Florence,"  I  said,  approaching  that  young  lady,  hat  in  hand,  "we  are 
about  to  leave  here  for  a  house  where  you  can  find  some  of  the  comforts  of 
civilized  life.  Shall  I  assist  you  to  mount  a  horse,  and  ride  by  your  side  ?  " 

For  a  moment  she  hesitated,  and  I  thought  that  she  would  relent,  but 
the  struggle  was  of  short  duration.  She  became  hard  and  cold,  but  still 
did  not  look  at  me,  as  she  said,  with  quiet,  womanly  sarcasm,  — 

"Your  wife  would  be  only  a  burden  to  you.     Dutch  and  other  vile  girls 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  283 

seem  more  to  your  taste.  No,  sir,  I  can  dispense  with  your  services  for  the 
present,"  and  she  tossed  her  head. 

"  When  I  prove,  Florence,  that  I  have  been  wronged,  then  you  will  smile 
on  me,  and  be  sorry  for  this.'1 

"  O  Angus,  if  you  only  could,  you  do  not  know  how  happy  I  should  be," 
and,  for  a  moment,  I  hoped  that  the  ice  had  been  broken,  but  it  was  not,  for 
she  remembered  the  evil  reports  that  had  been  circulated  respecting  my 
moral  character,  and  she  froze  up  at  once,  giving  her  hand  to  Monsieur 
Allete,  who  bowed,  removed  his  hat,  and  conducted  Florence  to  her  horse, 
and  whispered  to  me,  as  he  did  so,  — 

"  Courage,  mon  gargon.  Veil  all  vill  be  some  time.  La  petite  is  not  en 
regale  now  just.  De  bath  does  she  need,  clothes  clean.  Vomen,  de 
handsome  vones,  mind  you,  do  desire  not  love  to  be  made  vhen  their  hair  is 
down  all,  and  curl  not  in.  They  vant  to  be  sweet  vhen  vish  dey  to  be 
sweet.  Attendez." 

Florence  did  not  look  quite  so  attractive  as  the  evening  she  was  arrayed 
in  her  bridal  dress,  but  I  made  all  allowances  for  a  lady  who  had  passed 
a  night  in  the  bush,  where  water  was  scarce,  and  towels  unknown,  and  no 
combs  or  brushes  within  some  miles.  But  I  had  seen  her  under  other  cir- 
cumstances, and  my  love  was  just  as  devoted,  and  just  as  true,  as  the  night 
I  had  wed  her. 

She  passed  me  with  a  bold  attempt  at  bravery,  but  there  was  a  tear  in  her 
eye,  and  the  pretty  head  was  not  elevated  at  an  angle  of  forty-five  degrees. 
If  I  could  have  been  alone  with  her,  and  she  had  been  dressed  to  receive 
company,  I  think  that  I  might  have  overcome  her  objections,  and  she  would 
have  looked  on  me  with  favor.  But  women  don't  like  to  be  bored  when 
not  debonaire,  and  I  was  wise  enough  to  pursue  just  the  best  course  that  I 
could  take,  that  is,  let  her  alone,  until  she  had  recovered  her  spirits,  and 
thought  of  the  danger  that  I  had  undergone  for  her  sake. 

I  watched  her  until  she  was  mounted  on  a  steady  old  horse,  and  then  Mr. 
Kebblewhite  turned  to  me,  and  remarked,  — 

u  I  don't  know  jest  vot  to  say  to  yer.  If  yer  is  a  lud,  I  vants  to  thank 
yer,  and  to  say  that  I  still  thinks  that  the  veddin'  'olds  good.  If  yer  a'n't  a 
swell,  I  'as  my  doubts  on  the  subject.  But,  no  matter  vot  yer  is,  call  on  me 
for  a  pun  or  two  if  yer  ever  needs  it.  I  's  a  ginerous  man  ven  I  takes  a 
notion,  and  I  do  rather  fancy  yer,  but  yer  should  n't  have  deceived  us  so  by 
givin'  hout  that  yer  vos  a  lud." 

"  You  forget,  Mr.  Kebblewhite,  that  Mr.  Angus  did  protest  that  he  was 
not  a  swell,  and  that  no  one  would  listen  to  him.  You  must  remember  that. 


284  The  Belle  of  Attsttalia. 

He  stated  to  me  the  same  thing  several  times,  but  I  thought  that  he  was 
just  crawfishing,  for  the  purpose  of  getting  out  of  a  matrimonial  noose,  after 
having  heard  some  reports  which  were  circulated  quite  lively  through  the 
streets  of  Melbourne." 

"  Vhat  reports  ?  "  demanded  Mr.  Kebblewhite,  in  innocent  surprise. 

Mr.  Murden  approached,  and  whispered  in  his  ear  a  few  words.  What 
they  were  had  a  wonderful  effect  on  the  man.  His  red  face  flushed  a  deep- 
er scarlet,  and  his  lips  trembled.  He  did  not  utter  a  word,  but  mounted  his 
horse,  and,  with  head  bent  down,  waited  for  Mr.  Murden  to  give  the  signal 
to  start. 

"  Ride  with  me,  Mr.  Angus,"  the  Chief  said.  "  Here  is  a  nice  animal 
that  I  have  saved  for  you.  Now,  then,  all  ready  ?  Well,  come  on.  Keep 
an  eye  on  the  prisoners,  men," 

Mr.  Murden  had  grown  very  polite  and  affable  to  me  since  I  had  men- 
tioned the  hidden  treasure.  It  was  quite  evident  that  I  had  secured  a  new 
and  powerful  friend  in  the  person  of  the  Chief. 

"  Did  you  hear  what  1  said  to  old  Kebblewhite  ?  "  asked  the  Chief,  as  we 
walked  our  horses  through  the  scrub. 

**  Of  course  not.  You  whispered  to  him,  and  I  do  not  listen  when  peo- 
ple do  that." 

"  Well,  I  do.  Have  to,  you  know.  It  is  part  of  my  trade.  When  people 
whisper  in  my  presence  I  think  it  is  something  I  should  know.  The  night 
you  were  married  I  heard  your  confession  to  your  mother-in-law,  and  so 
stood  under  the  window  ready  for  you  when  you  dropped.  Don't  look  an- 
gry. I  believed  that  you  were  a  swell,  and  did  n't  mean  a  square  deal  by  the 
girl,  and  I  was  just  vain  enough  to  think  that  you  should  be  made  to  keep 
your  word.  I  saw  you  married,  and  was  satisfied  with  what  I  had  done,  and, 
to  speak  candidly,  I  more  than  half  believe  that  you  are  the  Earl  of  Afton, 
but  just  want  to  have  a  little  fun  before  you  settle  down  to  domestic  life. 
You  are  not  ?  Well,  let  it  go  that  way  for  the  present.  But  I  gave  old 
Kebblewhite  an  awful  dig  in  the  ribs  just  now,  confound  him." 

"  Indeed.     By  word  or  blow  ?  " 

"Word.  I  just  hinted  to  him  that  there  were  more  people  in  Melbourne 
who  knew  him  when  he  was  a  lag  than  he  supposed,  and  it  wilted  him,  for 
if  there  is  one  thing  that  he  is  ashamed  of,  and  wants  forgotten,  it  is  the 
fact  that  he  was  transported  many  years  ago,  and  served  his  term,  and  then 
went  in  for  money  and  respectability,  and  he  has  got  both  ;  but  the  stain 
remains,  and  he  would  give  fifty  thousand  pounds  if  it  could  be  blotted  out. 
but  peop]e  remember  such  things,  and  the  higher  the  old  fellow  climbs,  the 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  285 

longer  will  the  disgrace  be  kept  alive.  It  won't  do  to  look  closely  at  the 
record  of  some  of  our  public  men.  There  was  a  curious  mixture  sent  here 
in  old  Botany-Bay  times,  but  all  that  is  done  for  now,  and  we  have  some 
people  in  Melbourne  who  are  the  equals  of  any  to  be  found  in  the  world,  as 
honest  and  as  intelligent,  as  generous  and  as  enterprising,  and  the  ranks  are 
constantly  increasing." 

"  But  Mr.  Kebblewhite  has  not  yet  been  able  to  lay  aside  his  vulgarity,  or 
his  peculiar  use  of  the  English  language,"  I  said. 

"  Because  he  commenced  the  upward  grade  too  late,  and  he  is  hot-head- 
ed, and  won't  let  his  children  or  his  wife  correct  him.  Did  you  ever  notice 
how  angry  people  become  if  you  set  them  right  in  the  pronunciation  of  a 
word,  or  correct  their  grammar  ?  It  is  a  curious  fact  that  no  one  will  en- 
dure it  from  a  relative,  and  sometimes  kick  over  the  traces  when  a  teacher 
interferes.  It  is  very  human  to  get  angry  on  such  occasions.  Mr. 
Kebblewhite  is  no  exception  to  the  general  rule.  .  Now,  his  son  is  a  gentle- 
man, and  speaks  like  one,  while  his  daughter  is  a  lady,  and  would  do  honor 
to  any  station  in  society,  even  as  the  Countess  of  Afton,  and,  by  Jove  !  she 
is  as  good  as  she  is  beautiful,  and  no  wonder  the  young  bloods  call  her  the 
Belle  of  Australia." 

••  By  the  way,"  I  remarked,  as  we  rode  along,  the  huge  hound  following 
close  by  my  side,  and  looking  up  in  my  face  once  in  a  while  with  an  expres- 
sion that  was  almost  human,  "  how  does  it  happen  that  you  are  here  to- 
day, with  your  men  ?  " 

"  Last  evening  some  of  my  people  found  a  carriage  and  two  horses  in  the 
scrub,  and  brought  them  to  Smith's,  and  put  them  up.  I  intended  to  pass 
the  night  with  the  old  stockman,  a  friend  of  mine,  and  a  great  friend  of 
those  young  Americans  I  have  spoken  of.  In  fact,  I  believe  that  his  name 
is  mentioned  in  the  same  book  with  mine,  more  than  once.  We  suspected 
robbery  and  violence,  but  could  do  nothing  last  evening  in  the  scrub  and 
marshes,  so  waited  for  daylight.  At  supper  time  one  of  Mr.  Smith's  shep- 
herds said  that  several  of  his  fattest  sheep  had  been  killed  during  the  week, 
and  that  a  gang  of  bushrangers  was  in  the  vicinity,  but  just  where  no  one 
knew,  so,  after  breakfast,  we  put  the  old  hound  on  the  trail,  and  he  followed 
Black  Dick's  footsteps  to  this  place,  but  we  were  a  little  too  late  for  the 
right,  and  a  lively  one  it  must  have  been.  I  wish  that  I  had  been  there. 
That  Frenchman  says  that  you  really  held  Dick  a  pretty  lively  tussle,  or  un- 
til the  Chinamen  came  in  his  rear  with  their  bloody  knives,  and  so  decided 
the  contest.  An  ugly  man,  and  he  would  have  thought  it  sport  to  cut  your 
throat,  had  you  given  him  the  chance." 


286  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"I  am  thankful  that  I  did  not  gratify  him  in  that  respect,  and  yet,  I  will 
coniess,  had  it  not  been  tor  the  thought  of  my  wife,  I  should  have  been 
forced  to  yield.  He  pressed  me  pretty  hard." 

"  Mr.  Angus,"  said  the  Chief,  as  we  trotted  along,  "  do  you  know  that  I 
have  been  thinking  of  a  pretty  little  speculation  we  might  go  into,  and  make 
old  Kebblewhite  get  up  and  howl,  if  we  succeed,  as  I  hope  we  shall  ?  " 

"  Will  you  name  it  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Yes  ;  but  mum  is  the  word,  Kebblewhite  has  been  making  a  tour  all 
through  Victoria,  to  find  out  how  the  wool  clip  is.  It  is  short,  and  he 
knows  it.  Not  more  than  half  the  usual  supply  will  reward  the  stockmen. 
Mr.  Kebblewhite  pretends  that  it  will  be  large,  and  he  talks  that  way  to 
all  whom  he  meets.  We  go  into  the  market  at  Melbourne,  and  buy  all  that 
we  can  get  hold  of  at  the  big  auction  sale  next  week.  If  we  get  the  hidden 
treasure  we  can  take  it,  and  pay  for  the  purchase.  If  we  don't  find  what  we 
expect,  we  will  raise  what  money  we  can,  and  pool  in.  Wool  must  rise,  and 
as  it  goes  up,  we  will  sell,  and  share  the  profits.  What  do  you  say  to  the 
bargain  ?" 

"  I  say  that  I  will  agree  to  it,  and  do  all  the  buying,  and  let  you  stay  in 
the  background.  I  have  some  money  of  my  own,  even  if  we  do  not  strike 
the  treasure  that  is  buried.  But  you  are  sure  about  the  wool  clip?" 

"  Not  a  doubt  about  it.  Mr.  Kebblewhite  has  been  at  work,  and  so  have 
I.  His  notes  agree  with  mine,  and  mine  agree  with  that  of  every  shepherd 
in  Victoria.  But  here  we  are,  and  there  is  old  Smith  in  front  of  his  crazy 
built  house,  all  up  stairs  and  down,  tumble  here  and  there,  liable  to  break 
your  neck  at  any  time.  He  thinks  it  is  a  wonder,  and  so  do  I.  It  is  the 
only  one  of  the  kind  in  Victoria." 

We  drew  up  in  front  of  a  wooden  house,  gave  the  horses  to  some  stock- 
men, to  be  taken  to  a  corral,  and  then  I  was  welcomed  by  Mr.  Smith,  a 
stout  old  fellow,  with  the  baldest  head  that  was  ever  seen  outside  of  New 
York,  and  the  biggest  stomach,  and  the  most  benign,  beery  expression  on 
his  full  face,  which  was  smoothly  shaved,  as  if  he  expected  company,  and 
wanted  to  honor  it. 

"  Ah,  Mr.  Angus,"  he  said,  like  a  man  who  had  known  me  all  of  his  life, 
"  we  are  glad  to  see  vou  back  again,"  and  he  shook  hands  quite  heartily 
and  his  soft  blue  eyes  beamed  with  good  nature. 

Now,  considering  that  I  had  never  seen  Smith  before,  this  was  certainly 
most  friendly,  and  I  supposed  that  some  of  the  policemen  had  mentioned 
me  when  they  went  to  the  house  to  get  spades,  and  a  new  mob  of  horses 
for  our  party  to  ride. 


The  Belle  of  Australia. 


"  Hullo,"  exclaimed  the  Chief,  "  I  did  n't  know  that  you  two  were  ac- 
quainted." 

He  had  witnessed  the  cordial  greeting,  and  was  surprised  at  it,  even  as 
much  as  I  was. 

"  Well,  I  should  think  we  knew  something  of  each  other.  Hey,  Mr.  An- 
gus ?  "  and  the  amiable  Mr.  Smith  chuckled  and  laughed,  as  if  he  had  per- 
petrated a  good  joke,  and  wanted  us  to  share  in  his  amusement.  "  She  '11 
be  surprised,  and  glad  to  see  you,  sir.  She  don't  know  that  you  are  here, 
but  I  '11  call  her." 

"  Good  Heaven  !  "  I  thought,  "  I  hope  that  there  are  no  cranky  women 
here,"  for  just  at  this  moment  Florence  had  rode  up,  and  seemed  more  than 
half  inclined  to  allow  me  to  assist  her  to  dismount,  but,  for  fear  that  her  res- 
olution to  be  firm  should  weaken,  waved  me  off,  and  allowed  the  French- 
man to  perform  the  act  of  courtesy,  which  I  should  have  esteemed  a  great 
favor. 

"  Here,  Susan,  here,  old  lady  ;  where  are  you  all  ?  "  roared  the  stockman, 
who  was  anxious  to  display  some  real  Australian  hospitality,  even  by  giving 
up  his  whole  house  for  the  benefit  of  his  guests. 

A  young  girl,  rather  pretty,  and  with  nice  black  eyes,  and  a  fine,  healthy 
form,  and  good,  clear  skin,  came  out  of  the  house,  stopped  for  a  moment  to 
survey  the  arrivals,  and  then,  with  a  glad  cry  of  astonishment,  as  she  caught 
sight  of  me,  ran  toward  me,  put  her  arms  around  my  neck,  and  kissed  me 
three  times  before  I  could  recover  sufficiently  from  my  surprise  to  check 
her  freedom.  Still,  I  will  confess,  that  I  did  not  struggle  very  hard  to  clear 
myself  from  her  embrace.  I  should  have  done  so,  but  astonishment  over- 
come me  for  the  moment,  and  rendered  me  unconscious  of  the  liberties  that 
were  being  taken  with  my  lips.  It  often  happens  so  with  men  who  have 
reveries  or  dreams  while  awake. 

"  O  Angus,",  said  the  young  lady,  who  I  surmised  was  a  daughter  or  rela- 
tive of  Mr.  Smith,  "  how  pleased  I  am  that  you  have  returned,  and  you 
won't  go  away  for  a  long,  long  time,  will  you,  dear  ?  " 

This  was  decidedly  embarrassing  for  a  young  man  who  was  in  love  with 
his  own  wife,  and,  while  he  might  have  endured  the  indignity  had  she  been 
some  miles  distant,  it  would  not  answer  in  her  presence,  and  while  I  was  all 
ready  to  assume  a  severity  that  is  very  becoming  to  young  men,  I  stole  a 
glance  at  Florence,  for  I  dreaded  the  effects  of  the  exhibition  on  her.  As 
I  half  expected,  and  feared,  she  showed  signs  of  rebellion. 

"  How  dare  you  put  your  arms  around  my  husband's  neck,  and  kiss  him 
right  before  my  face  and  eyes  ?  "  Florence  asked,  her  pretty  countenance 


288  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

showing  some  of  the  rage  that  swelled  her  little  body,  until  she  looked  as 
though  she  was  six  feet  high,  and  stout  in  proportion.  "  Take  your  hands 
off  of  him  this  instant !  I  am  ashamed  that  one  of  my  sex  should  be  guilty 
of  such  disgraceful  conduct !  " 

The  attention  of  the  company  was  attracted  at  this  singular  spectacle, 
and  by  the  words.  All  were  looking  at  us  in  astonishment,  Smith  staring 
until  his  eyes  were  fixed  as  those  of  a  painter's*  lay  figure. 

"  Your*  husband  ?  "  stammered  poor  Susan,  for  that,  I  learned,  was  the 
girl's  name,  "your  husband?"  she  repeated.  "Why,  this  gentleman  is  en- 
gaged to  marry  me,  and  has  been  for  two  weeks  past." 

"  O  Heaven !  "  gasped  Florence.  "  Take  me  home  to  my  mamma.  O 
father,  this  is  too  terrible  for  me  to  endure,  and  just  as  I  was  all  ready  to 
pardon  him,  because  he  looked  so  sad  and  repentant,  for  his  past  crimes. 
But  this  is  a  little  too  much  for  one  woman  to  overlook,  and  now  my  mind 
is  made  up.  Never  will  I  see  him  again.  This  I  am  firmly  resolved  upon. 
Nothing  shall  cliange  me." 

This  was  hard  news  for  me,  but  what  could  I  do  or  say  to  such  a  little 
fury  ? 

"  Do  you  mean  to  tell  me,"  asked  Susan,  who  began  to  get  angry  also, 
and  she  released  me  from  her  embrace,  for  which  the  Lord  made  me  truly 
thankful,  and  walked  straight  toward  Florence,  and  then  those  two  hand- 
some young  women  looked  at  each  other  with  all  the  scorn  that  females  can 
usually  throw  into  their  eyes  and  faces  when  jealous  of  each  other,  "  do 
you  mean  to  tell  me,"  repeated  Miss  Susan,  "  that  this  man  is  your  hus- 
band ? " 

"  He  is  my  husband,  my  lawful  husband,  and  I  hate  him,  and  I  hate  you, 
and  I  want  to  go  home  to  my  mamma." 

"  Angus,"  asked  Miss  Susan,  turning  to  me,  and  speaking  with  forced 
calmness,  "is  this  lady's  story  true?" 

"  Quite  true.  She  is  my  wife,  and  I  assure  you  that  I  love  her  dearly," 
I  answered  very  frankly. 

"Then  what  did  you  mean  by  coming  to  this  house,  and  saying  that 
you  loved  me  ?  "  asked  the  young  lady,  with  a  dangerous  look  in  her  eyes. 

"  There  you  are  mistaken,"  I  replied.  "  I  never  saw  you  betore  today, 
and  I  never  visited  this  place  until  now." 

Both  women  uttered  incredulous  cries  of  doubt,  rage,  and  intense  hatred, 
and  I  wished  that  I  was  once  more  fighting  bushrangers,  in  the  mines,  on 
the  trail,  or  anywhere  except  in  the  presence  of  two  young  girls  who  had 
made  up  their  minds  not  to  be  convinced  of  my  honesty,  and  all  the  witness- 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  289 

es  in  the  world  would  not  have  shaken  their  faith  in  their  own  ideas  of  right 
and  wrong. 

1  looked  a  little  foolish  and  weak,  I  know,  and,  perhaps,  a  shade  or  so 
guilty,  but  how  can  a  man  appear  different  when  a  strange  woman  will  per- 
sist in  kissing  him,  and  claiming  him,  and  a  young  and  pretty  wife  is 
standing  near,  ready  to  believe  all  the  evil  she  ever  heard  of  you,  and  to 
remember  none  of  your  virtues,  if  you  should  happen  to  have  any? 

"  Do  you  mean  to  say  that  you  never  spoke  to  me  before  today  ?  "  Miss 
Susan  demanded,  and  her  fingers  worked  a  little  nervously,  as  though  she 
was  getting  ready  to  scratch  somebody,  and  her  black  eyes  looked  through 
and  through  me. 

"  I  must  persist  in  repeating  that  you  are  a  stranger  to  me,  as  I  am  to 
you.  Loving  my  wife  as  I  do  I  am  incapable  of  such  conduct  as  you  charge 
me  with,"  I  said. 

"  Somebody  has  got  to  be  killed  before  a  great  while/'  Mr.  Smith  roared. 
';  I  '11  load  my  gun,  and  have  a  shot  at  the  meanest  liar  in  the  country,  and, 
although  I  *m  a  member  of  parliament,  and  should  respect  the  law,  blast 
me  if  I  don't  smash  all  the  laws  for  the  sake  of  punishing  a  man  who  is 
married,  and  comes  here  to  make  love  to  my  wife's  sister,  and  promises  to 
marry  her,  and  spoons  with  her  until  the  girl's  head  is  turned.  Just  wait 
until  I  get  my  gun.  *  Only  wait." 

He  would  have  gone  for  it,  but  Mr.  Murden  stopped  him,  and  just  at  this 
moment  Mike  and  the  two  Chinamen  drove  up  to  the  house,  with  a  horse 
that  was  half  starved  and  unsteady  on  its  legs,  for  it  had  neither  eaten  nor 
drunk  since  the  night  before,  at  Ballarat.  This  attracted  attention,  and 
gave  Murden  a  chance  to  appear  as  my  protector. 
19 


•»,.)<)L>    HKAVENS!    MAMMA,    THRKK  's   TWO   OK    TIIKM  ;     AMI)   WHICH    IS    MY    HUSBAND?' 


PART    XII. 

THE   BURIED   TREASURE. — A   BOX   OF   GOLD. — THE   RETURN   TO   BALLARAT. 
—  SELLING   OFF.  —  FAREWELL   TO   THE    MINES   —  A    BIG   SPECULATION 
IN     WOOL.  —  A     HASTY     SUMMONS.  —  FACE     TO     FACE     WITH     A 
LORD  AND   A    DOUBLE.  —  MY    MOTHER'S    ARRIVAL,  AND   HER 
STORY.  —  TWIN    BROTHERS.  —  FLORENCE    MAKES    HER 
CHOICE,    AND    IS     HAPPY.  —  GRAND     EXPLANA- 
TIONS. —  MR.  KEBBLEWHITE   OPENS    SOME 
WINE.  —  MIKE'S     CAREER.  —  A    GEN- 
ERAL  CLOSING   UP. — THE   END. 

R  a  moment  hostilities  were  suspended,  to  witness  the  arrival  of  Mike 
and  the  Chinamen.  But  the  lull  was  only  temporary.  They  had  noth- 
ing to  offer  that  was  new ;  and,  as  soon  as  the  poor  suffering  horse  had 
been  led  away  to  get  a  feed  of  barley,  Mr.  Smith  again  expressed  a  firm  de- 
sire to  kill  somebody,  and  that  somebody,  as  near  as  I  could  understand, 
was  me. 

"  Smith,"  said  Mr.  Murden,  as  soon  as  he  could  lay  hands  on  the  stock- 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  291 

man,  and  calm  him  down  a  little,  "you  keep  your  paws  off  of  guns,  and  let 
me  explain  matters.  We  have  been  old  companions  for  many  years,  and  I 
never  deserted  you,  even  when  you  wanted  friends.  That  you  very  well 
know." 

"  That  's  true,"  was  the  sullen  response.  "  But  this  is  a  little  too  much 
for  human  endurance.  I  thought  as  much  of  that  fellow,  and  his  swell 
ways,  as  I  would  of  an  own  son.  He  has  been  here  quite  often,  and  made 
love  like,  like  —  mad,"  and,  as  Mr.  Smith  could  find  no  other  word,  the 
comparison  was  not  so  bad  after  all,  for  most  lovers  are  insane. 

"  There  has  been  a  great  mistake  here,"  the  Chief  said.  "  1  want  to  see 
fair  play,  and  will  state  that  Mr.  Angus  was  married  to  Miss  Kebblewhite 
nearly  a  year  ago.  I  was  present  at  the  ceremony,  so  there  can  be  no  dis- 
pute on  that  point." 

A  wail  from  Susan,  and  a  smothered  oath  from  Smith,  who  looked  his 
anger. 

"But  I  have  reason  to  believe  that  there  are  two  men  in  the  country  who 
resemble  one  another  in  all  respects,  and  each  has  been  mistaken  for  the 
other  time  and  time  again.  One  is  called  Angus  Mornington,  Earl  of  Af- 
ton,  and  the  other  is  called  Angus  Mornington,  an  American,  and  my  friend, 
for  the  sake  of  old  friends." 

"  Which  is  this  one  ? "  asked  Smith,  pointing  to  me,  looking  still  sullen 
and  angry. 

"Hang  me  if  I  know,"  was  the  blunt  response,  "but  I  can  prove  that  this 
gentleman  has  not  been  out  of  the  mines  of  Ballarat  for  the  last  ten  months. 
Mike,  come  here,  and  bring  the  Chinamen." 

The  Chief  asked  them  if  I  had  been  absent  from  my  home  during  all 
the  time  they  knew  me,  and  they  did  not  hesitate  a  moment.  They  swore 
that  I  had  not,  and  that  I  could  not  have  left  the  place  without  their  know- 
ing it. 

"  The  Chinamen  will  lie  on  all  and  every  occasion,"  Smith  said,  with  a 
look  of  contempt.  "  I  do  not  count  them  as  of  any  importance,  and  an 
Irishman  will  lie  when  it  suits  his  convenience,"  a  remark  that  enraged 
Mike  so  much,  he  offered  to  fight  Smith  on  the  spot,  for  the  mere  love  of 
it,  and  to  vindicate  the  honor  of  "  Ould  Oireland."  Smith  did  not  mean  it, 
but  he  was  an  Englishman,  and  prejudiced,  and  angry  at  the  same  time. 
Peace  was  at  last  restored  between  the  two,  but  the  ladies  looked  at  each 
other  without  relenting. 

"To  think  that  I  do  not  know  who  is  my  own  husband,"  sobbed  Florence. 
"  liere  is  a  person  who  has  made  love  to  his  Kitties,  his  Webbies,  his 


292  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


Susies,  and  I  don't  know  how  many  more,  and,  oh  !  how  1  hate  every  man 
in  the  world,  and  1  'm  very  unhappy.  Take  me  home  to  my  mamma  as 
quick  as  you  can." 

•'  And  I  '11  never  believe  in  a  man  again  to  the  longest  day  of  my  life, 
and  I  hate  the  whole  race  of  them,  and  I  wish  they  were  all  dead,  and  then," 
after  a  long  pause,  "  that  they  would  come  to  life  again,  and  be  better  than 
they  are  now.  That  is  what  I  wish." 

And  then,  wonderful  to  relate,  those  two  women,  who  a  moment  before 
had  desired  to  scratch  out  each  other's  eyes,  actually  embraced,  and  mingled 
their  tears,  and  entered  the  house  with  their  arms  around  each  other,  leav- 
ing me  out  in  the  cold,  with  no  one  except  Mr.  Murden  and  Mike  to  take 
pity  on  me,  for  Mr.  Kebblewhite  and  Monsieur  Allete  followed  the  ladies. 

"  I  '11  give  you  the  benefit  of  a  doubt,"  Mr.  Smith  said,  as  the  girls  dis- 
appeared. "  I  will  take  the  assertion  of  Mr.  Murden  as  a  correct  one.  I 
'm  a  plain,  old  Australian  stockman.  Come  in  and  have  some  dinner,  and 
don't  so  much  as  look  at  Susan  again,  if  we  are  to  be  on  friendly  terms." 

I  accepted  the  invitation,  and  sat  down  to  a  well-filled  table,  but  the  la- 
dies did  not  appear,  and  I  saw  no  more  of  them  until  afternoon,  just  as  the 
Chief,  Mike,  and  myself  were  ready  to  set  out  in  search  of  the  buried  treas- 
ure. Then  Florence  came  to  the  door,  looking  much  better,  after  a  nap,  a 
bath,  and  clean  clothes. 

"  Florence,"  I  said,  for  I  was  alone  with  her  for  a  moment,  "  next  month 
will  be  a  year  since  we  were  married.  On  the  anniversary  of  that  event, 
I  shall  come  to  you,  and  ask  you  to  be  my  wife  in  earnest.  If  I  can  prove 
that  I  am  better  than  you  now  suspect  will  you  listen  to  me,  darling?  " 

"  Have  you  used  the  same  arguments  with  your  other  loves?"  she  asked, 
with  a  little  curl  of  the  lip,  and  a  toss  of  her  pretty  head. 

"You  are  cruel,  Florence,  and  unjust,  but  I  forgive  you,  and  hope  for 
your  love  as  soon  as  proper  explanations  are  made.  Will  you  let  me  take 
your  hand,  and  kiss  it  ?  " 

"  Yes,  if  that  will  do  you  any  good,"  and  she  gave  me  her  hand.  "  I  owe 
you  that  scant  courtesy  for  your  rescue  of  my  friends  and  myself." 

"Will  you  think  of  me,  dear  little  wife,  while  I  am  absent?"  I  whis- 
pered. 

"  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  I  shall  hear  enough  of  you  to  keep  you  fresh 
in  my  mind,"  with  another  toss  of  her  pretty  head,  and  a  provoking  sneer, 
that  was  far  from  becoming  to  such  a  handsome  face.  "  If  you  continue 
as  you  have  begun,  all  Australia  will  ring  with  cries  of  detestation  at  the 
mere  mention  of  your  name,  and  fathers  and  brothers  will  hunt  for  you  as 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  293 


the  police  now  seek  for  bushrangers.  Why  could  you  not  be  good?  Is  it 
so  hard  for  a  young  and  rich  man  to  pursue  a  correct  path  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  know,  Florence.  I  have  never  been  rich.  I  have  had  tempta- 
tions placed  in  my  way,  and  such  as  few  men  could  have  resisted,  and  yet  I 
can  safely  assure  you  that  I  am  good,  and  \\ish  that  you  would  believe  me. 
I  should  be  much  happier  than  I  have  been  the  past  year,  for  I  love  you, 
and  only  you,  and  it  was  for  your  sake  I  fled  the  night  we  were  married." 

"  I  do  not  believe  you.  \  do  not  think  that  you  are  speaking  the  truth. 
You  suppose  that  I  can  be  deceived  as  easily  as  your  Kitties,  your  Webbies, 
and  your  Susies.  1  am  young,  but  I  have  seen  much  of  the  little  world  in 
my  circle  of  life,  and  I  don't  know  who  I  'm  talking  to,  and  wish  that  I 
had  never  seen  you,  and  what  did  you  come  to  Australia  for  to  cause  so 
much  unhappiness  ?  Before  I  saw  you  I  never  had  a  moment's  care.  Oh, 
what  trouble  men  are  !  " 

"  I  am  going  now,  Florence.  Will  you  let  me  kiss  you  good-by,  dear  ?  " 
I  asked,  growing  more  bold. 

"  No,  sir,  I  will  not,"  very  decidedly.  "  How  do  I  know  whether  you  are 
my  husband,  or  the  other  man  ?  The  wretch  !  " 

"  I  can  tell  you  all  the  particulars  of  our  wedding,  dear,  if  that  will  satis- 
fy you.  Will  you  listen  to  me  ?  " 

"  No,  sir,  I  do  not  care  to  hear  you." 

"  Then  good-by,  dear,  and  may  God  bless  you,"  I  said,  with  moistened 
eyes,  and  fervent  lips. 

I  turned  and  walked  toward  the  saddled  horses,  and  waved  a  farewell  to 
Florence,  but  I  do  not  think  that  she  saw  it,  for  her  head  was  bowed  down, 
and  she  was  clinging  to  a  tressel,  on  which  some  roses  were  growing,  and 
scenting  the  air  in  every  direction. 

Mr.  Murden  had  explained  to  Smith  and  the  rest  of  the  party,  that  it  was 
necessary  we  should  scout  around  the  country,  and  see  if  there  were  more 
traces  of  the  bushrangers,  and  I  had  taken  leave  of  the  gentlemen,  and 
thanked  Mr.  Smith  for  his  hospitality,  but  he  looked  at  me  a  little  suspi- 
ciously, and  evidently  did  not  take  much  stock  in  my  assertions.  Susan  I 
did  not  see.  She  kept  away  from  me,  and  I  was  glad  of  it,  on  her  account, 
and  my  own. 

Mike  had  secreted  a  spade,  although  he  did  not  know  for  what  purpose, 
and,  by  a  steady  gallop,  and  a  brisk  walk,  we  were  at  the  bushrangers' 
quarters  by  three  o'clock.  The  grave  of  the  dead  robbers  was  just  as  we 
had  left  it,  the  fire  was  still  smouldering,  and  no  one  had  been  on  the  spot 
since  we  departed  in  the.  forenoon. 


294  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  Now  where  is  the  place  ? "  asked  the  Chief,  anxious  to  commence  work 
at  once. 

"  Here,"  I  answered,  taking  the  spade,  and  turning  over  the  ashes. 

"  Under  the  fire-?  "  asked  the  Chief. 

"  That  is  what  Jack  says." 

"Well,  I  should  never  have  thought  of  that  spot.  But  give  Mike  the 
spade,  and  let  us  see  what  we  shall  find." 

Mike  flung  aside  the  ashes  and  earth,  and  dug  down  two  feet,  before  he 
struck  a  box  that  was  about  one  foot  square.  It  gave  us  hope  that  Jack 
had  not  told  an  idle  romance  after  all,  and  he  had  not,  for  we  excavated  the 
package,  although  it  was  not  an  easy  task,  as  it  was  heavy,  wrenched  off  the 
lid,  and  there  before  us  were  gold  coins,  doubloons,  American  eagles,  sov- 
ereigns, and  an  immense  number  of  nuggets,  and  pounds  of  gold-dust. 

"  By  the  sacrid  name  of  Moses,  and  the  children  in  the  bulrushes,  but 
this  is  the  koind  of  minin'  that  I  loike,"  cried  Mike.  "  All  in  a  lump  loike 
a  fat  pig.  Whoop !  what  a  haul  for  us." 

"  Shut  your  mouth,  you  wild  Irishman,"  said  Mr.  Murden,  who  was  as 
excited  as  Mike  and  myself.  "  Do  you  want  half  a  dozen  mounted  men  to 
gallop  here,  and  spoil  the  sport?  Come,  let  us  look  over  the  treasure,  and 
estimate  how  much  there  is." 

But  we  had  no  time  to  do  that  before  night  fell,  and  we  were  just  super- 
stitious enough  to  desire  to  get  out  of  the  woods  before  dark.  We  did  not 
want  Black  Dick  and  Slipper  Sam  disputing  our  prize,  if  they  could  re- 
visit the  earth,  and  I  don't  believe  that  one  of  us  would  have  gone  after  the 
gold  in  the  night  time,  for  the  whole  of  it. 

"We  must  pack  this  box  on  one  of  the  horses,"  Mr.  Murden  said.  "  It 
is  a  devil  of  a  load,  and  weighs  near  three  hundred  pounds,  but  one  of  the 
animals  will  have  to  take  it.  We  can't  get  a  cart  in  this  scrub,  and  I  don't 
like  to  leave  a  portion  of  the  treasure  until  tomorrow.  There  may  be  other 
people  who  know  the  secrets  of  the  bushrangers  as  well  as  Jack." 

"  I  will  tell  you  what  we  had  better  do,"  I  remarked.  "  Let  Mike  go  to 
Smith's,  and  get  the  horse  and  wagon  we  rode  in  from  Ballarat.  He  can 
then  meet  us  on  the  road,  and  by  means  of  the  team  we  can  get  the  treasure 
to  Camp  Reserve.  Tomorrow  I  will  take  it  to  the  bank,  have  it  weighed, 
value  estimated,  and  deposited,  and  take  drafts  on  the  principal  house  in 
Melbourne,  then,  when  I  come  to  the  city,  I  will  bring  your  share,  draw  the 
money,  and  hand  it  over.  It  won't  do  for  you  to  take  charge  of  the  gold. 
Suspicion  would  be  excited." 

"  There  is  no  other  way  that  I  can  see.     There  must  be  twenty  thousand 


The  B^lle  of  Aiistralia.  295 

pounds  in  that  box,  and  I  can't  manage  it.     Do  as  you  suggest.      I  trust  to 
you  in  every  particular,  and  believe  that  my  confidence  will  not  be  abused." 

"  Then  take  the  bank  notes,  and  put  them  in  your  pocket,  and  hint  that 
you  found  them  on  the  prisoners,  and  you  will  get  much  credit  with  the 
respectable  people  of  Melbourne,  and  you  need  not  care  for  the  other 
classes." 

"  And  don't  forget  the  reward,  Mr.  Murden,"  pleaded  Mike.  "  I  don't 
want  to  lose  me  thousand  puns." 

"  You  shall  have  your  share,  Mike,  just  as  soon  as  I  get  back  to  the  city, 
and  make  my  statements  and  affidavits.  I  '11  send  the  prisoners  on  to  Mel 
bourne  tonight,  and  Jack  shall  be  among  them,  but  we  can  drop  him  on  the 
road  in  some  manner.  Then  he  can  make  the  best  of  his  way  to  Port 
Phillip,  and  from  there  get  down  to  Sydney  in  a  coaster,  where  he  will  be 
quite  safe,  if  he  but  keeps  his  mouth  shut,  as  he  must  do,  if  he  would  save 
his  neck." 

"  Give  him  a  hundred  sovereigns  out  of  this  box  to  start  him  in  life.  It 
is  more  money  than  he  ever  had  in  the  world,  and  much  good  may  it  do 
him,"  I  said,  and  counted  out  the  gold. 

"  Just  as  you  please.  It  will  all  go  to  the  grog  shops,  but  that  is  not  our 
lookout."  and  Mr.  Murden  put  the  sovereigns  in  his  pocket,  but  he  did  give 
them  to  Jack,  and  kept  his  word,  for  the  old  salt  was  accidentally  left  un- 
guarded, when  near  Melbourne,  and  he  did  some  good  walking  through  the 
scrub  and  woods,  until  he  reached  the  city,  and  from  thence  he  went  to 
Manilla  in  a  ship,  and  I  never  heard  of  him  again,  but,  dead  or  alive,  I  shall 
always  think  well  of  poor  Jack,  who  remembered  an  act  of  kindness,  and 
returned  payment  a  hundred-fold  when  he  had  an  opportunity. 

It  was  hard  work  getting  the  box  of  treasure  on  the  back  of  one  of  the 
animals,  but  we  succeeded  after  several  attempts,  and  lashed  it  with  ropes 
and  spun-yarn  to  the  saddle,  and  then,  while  one  of  us  led  the  horse,  and 
Mike  steadied  the  package  to  prevent  its  slipping,  we  retraced  our  steps  to- 
ward Smith's  residence.  But  I  cast  one  last  look  around  the  place  before 
we  started.  There  was  the  grave  of  the  bushrangers,  the  spot  where  I  had 
struggled  with  Black  Dick,  the  resting-place  of  Florence  under  the  acacia- 
bush,  the  trees  where  Mr.  Kebble\vhite  and  Monsieur  Allete  had  been  se 
cured,  and  passed  a  very  bad  night,  and  then  I  turned  and  thanked  Heaven 
that  I  had  arrived  in  time  to  save  Florence  from  what  would  have  been 
worse  than  death.  I  never  saw  that  spot  again,  but  I  could  easily  find  it, 
even  at  this  late  day,  unless  the  dense  scrub  has  over-run  the  clearing,  and 
hidden  from  sight  the  solitary  grave  of  the  robbers. 


296  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

When  we  were  about  a  mile  from  the  public  road,  I  sent  Mike  to  the 
house  for  the  team,  and  with  instructions  to  the  t\vo  Chinamen  to  remain 
with  the  stockman  until  the  next  day,  and  then  make  the  best  of  their  way 
to  Camp  Reserve.  I  did  not  desire  their  presence  until  the  gold  was  dis- 
posed of,  or  encounter  their  inquisitive  eyes,  while  handling  it. 

We  waited  at  the  edge  of  the  scrub  until  Mike  made  his  appearance,  then 
transferred  the  box  to  the  wagon,  and  were  ready  to  start. 

"Now,  Mr.  Murden,"  I  said,  as  we  shook  hands  at  parting,  "you  will  do 
all  that  you  can  to  aid  me,  and  re  ieve  me  from  the  embarrassment  under 
which  1  labor,  and  prevents  me  from  receiving  the  love  of  a  dear  little 
wife?" 

"  Tomorrow  half  a  dozen  of  my  best  men  shall  commence  the  search,  and 
I  assure  you  it  shall  be  a  very  patient  one,  and  a  very  thorough  one.  I  will 
map  out  every  sheep-run  in  the  district,  and  every  stockman's  house.  If 
there  is  a  twin-brother  of  yours  in  Victoria  I  will  find  him,"  and  Mr.  Murden 
smiled  as  though  he  had  uttered  a  joke,  but  it  was  no  joke  to  me,  much  as 
I  had  suffered  in  the  past  year. 

"  There  is  some  one  who  bears  a  remarkable  resemblance  to  me  in  the 
counfry.  I  saw  the  man  who  is  called  the  Earl  of  Afton  leave  the  Mel- 
bourne Club  House  the  first  night  I  met  you.  His  two  friends  supposed 
that  he  and  I  were  one.  You  can  solve  the  mystery,  and  satisfy  Florence 
that  I  am  worthy  of  her,  and  then  I  shall  be  perfectly  happy." 

"  For  how  long  ?  "  asked  the  Chief,  with  a  low  laugh,  as  though  he  had 
heard  just  such  protestations  before. 

'"'  All  my  life,  or  as  long  as  God  spares  us  for  each  other,  and  the  world," 
I  said  earnestly. 

"  Amen.  I  begin  to  think  that  you  are  what  you  represent,  —  a  real 
American  sovereign,  as  you  vainly  call  yourself,  instead  of  a  wild,  adven- 
turous, love-making  nobleman,  with  more  money  and  time  than  he  knows 
what  to  do  with.  Well,  old  fellow,  I  must  be  off,  and  start  my  prisoners  on 
their  journey.  The  sun  is  nearly  down,  and  we  may  have  rain  tonight.  I 
shall  be  in  Melbourne  the  day  after  tomorrow." 

"  And  I  shall  be  there  in  the  course  of  a  few  days,  and  will  call  on  you." 

We  shook  hands,  and,  as  he  turned  away,  asked,  — 

"  Is  there  any  word  that  you  wish  to  send  to  your  wife  ?  No  ?  Well,  I 
'11  give  you  a  lift  if  I  can.  I  have  watched  the  lady,  and  can  tell  that  she 
luvas  you,  and  will  drop  when  the  proper  urging  is  applied.  But  her  con- 
founded pride  and  disappointment  are  a  little  too  much  for  her  just  now. 
From  a  countess  down  to  the  wife  of  —  Well,  never  mind.  Don't  get  an- 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  297 


gry.  You  are  worth  a  dozen  of  the  modern  earls,  although,  to  tell  you  the 
truth.  I  'd  give  ten  thousand  pounds  just  to  have  plain  and  common  '  Sir  ' 
as  a  handle  to  my  name.  It  makes  people  respect  and  look  up  to  you.  Au 
revoir." 

He  touched  his  horse  with  a  spur,  and  cantered  off,  and,  with  the  box  of 
gold  in  our  possession,  with  rifle  cocked,  and  revolver  all  ready  for  action, 
while  Mike's  terrible  gun  rested  across  his  knees,  loaded  with  eight  fingers 
of  powder  and  shot,  we  jogged  along  the  rough  road.y  but  did  not  meet  with 
any  one  who  was  strong  enough  to  dispute  our  possession,  and  at  eight 
o'clock  reached  our  hut.  just  as  the  rain  commenced  to  pour  down  in  tor- 
rents. 

We  got  the  box  into  the  shanty,  and  sent  the  horse  home  by  a  miner  who 
wanted  a  job,  and  a  drink,  and  then  had  a  fire  started,  covered  the  treasure 
with  blankets,  prepared  a  good  supper,  locked  up  the  house,  and  went  to 
bed,  and  slept  soundly  until  eight  o'clock  the  next  morning,  for  we  were 
both  very  tired,  having  hardly  closed  our  eyes  the  night  before. 

The  rain  had  passed  away  by  daylight,  but  the  roads  were  in  a  terrible 
condition,  full  of  holes  and  gullies,  slush  and  mud,  yet  I  managed  to  get  my 
treasure  to  the  branch  bank,  and  had  the  dust  and  nuggets  weighed,  and  all 
the  gold  coin  valued,  and  then  found  that  Mr.  Murden  and  I  were  about 
eighteen  thousand  pounds  better  off  than  we  were  the  day  before,  but  out 
of  the  amount  I  gave  Mike  five  hundred  pounds,  and  he  nearly  went  crazy 
with  delight  at  the  good  fortune  that  was  pouring 'into  his  lap,  and  more 
than  once  declared  that  I  was  the  best  man  that  ever  lived,  with  some  rare 
exceptions,  and  those  were  to  be  found  only  in  Ould  Oireland. 

In  the  course  of  the  next  day  I  had  made  up  my  accounts,  sold  my 
•shanty,  and  all  the  comforts  which  it  contained,  went  around  and  bid  good- 
by  to  the  many  friends  I  had  made,  and  then  found  that  with  all  of  my 
lucky  findings,  speculations,  interest  money,  and  sales  I  was  worth  near 
three  hundred  thousand  dollars,  a  sum  that  was  far  beyond  my  wildest 
dreams  of  wealth. 

The  Chinamen  arrived  in  time,  and  reported  that  all  the  people  had  left 
Smith's  for  the  city,  and,  after  they  were  rested,  and  had  eaten  their  sup- 
per, I  told  them  that  I  was  going  there  myself,  and  should  not  return  to 
Ballarat,  but  that  they  could  remain  and  mine  on  their  own  account,  or  they 
could  go  to  Melbourne,  where  they  would  get  the  money  for  the  capture  of 
Dick  and  the  rest  of  the  bushrangers,  and  that  I  would  give  to  each  of  them 
a  gratuity  of  a  hundred  pounds,  in  addition  to  what  I  owed  them.  They 
preferred  to  go  to  Melbourne,  and  return  to  their  beloved  China,  with 


298  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

money  enough  to  make  them  rich  for  life,  and  I  will  here  remark  that  they 
did  sail  for  the  celestial  empire  in  the  course  of  a  few  weeks,  and  that  the 
last  I  heard  of  Gin  Sling  he  was  a  fourth-class  mandarin,  engaged  in  the 
tea  trade,  in  the  Fou-Chow  district,  and  had  a  peculiar  habit  of  applying 
bamboos  to  the  backs  of  such  Chinamen  as  sold  tea  to  any  house  except 
his  own,  and  at  his  option,  while  Ah  Sugar  went  into  rice  speculations,  opi- 
um smuggling,  and  other  business-like  enterprises,  and  is  a  rich  man,  with 
one  regular  wife,  and  a  dozen  irregular  ones.  Gin  Sling  sends  me  once  a 
year  a  half  chest  of  real  mandarin  tea,  and  a  monstrous  letter,  written  in 
Chinese  characters,  but,  as  they  all  read  just  alike,  I  no  longer  have  them 
translated,  but  send  them  to  charity  fairs  to  be  disposed  of  as  curiosities 
from  the  son  of  the  moon,  the  Emperor  of  China.  No  one  has  yet  discov- 
ered the  imposture,  and  the  charity  people  are  satisfied,  and  clamorous  for 
more  letters,  as  they  sell  readily.  Ah  Sugar  is  at  Canton  and  Hong  Kong, 
and  could  be  a  mandarin,  but  does  not  like  to  pay  for  the  title,  so  remains  a 
plain  Chinaman,  and  has  thus  far  escaped  very  serious  squeezing  from  the 
officials  over  him.  I  understand  that  he  has  a  profound  contempt  for  all 
Englishmen  of  low  degree,  especially  gold-miners,  when  he  encounters  the 
latter. 

The  next  day  Mike  and  I  took  the  mail  wagon  for  Melbourne.  He  per- 
sisted in  carrying  his  gun,  but  I  made  him  draw  the  charge  before  I  would 
allow  him  to  enter  the  carriage.  I  did  not  want  my  head  blown  off  by  that 
formidable  weapon  in  case  Mike  got  careless  or  excited. 

\Ve  were  two  days  on  the  road,  the  wheeling  was  so  bad.  When  we 
drove  up  to  Webber's  I  remained  in  the  carriage,  for  I  did  not  desire  to  en- 
counter Katrine  and  her  father,  the  Dutchman,  and  have  another  scene. 
Neither  of  them  saw  me,  for  I  covered  up  my  face,  and  Mike  swore  that  I 
was  a  sick  man,  with  symptoms  of  the  small-pox,  an  announcement  that 
sent  every  one  scampering  away,  and  even  Katrine,  who  had  grown  rosier 
than  ever,  in  retreating  stumbled  up  the  steps,  and  revealed  a  pair  of  ankles 
that  were  not  Grecian  in  shape  or  size,  and  caused  old  Webber  to  roar 
out,  — 

"You  should  be  much  ashamed  ot  meself,  Katrine,  ven   de  men  all  looks 

dis  way,  by  !  "  and  the  girl  shook  down  her  skirts,  gave  a  pretty  little 

giggle,  and  vanished,  and  that  was  the  last  that  I  saw  of  Katrine  for  some 
years,  and  then  she  was  married,  and  kept  the  wayside  inn,  in  place  of  her 
father,  who  had  been  shot  by  a  bushranger,  on  the  supposition  that  the 
Dutchman  had  not  dealt  fairly  by  him,  and  publir  opinion  was  rather  on  the 
side  of  the  robber. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  299 

We  dashed  through  Slabtown,  where  we  stopped  one  night,  then  on,  un- 
til we  reached  the  spot  where  Mike  and  I  had  encamped  the  first  morning 
out,  and  where  the  "old  man  kangaroo  "  had  played  so  mean  a  trick  on  the 
Irishman  ;  crossing  small  streams  by  fording,  over  bridges  that  were  none 
too  secure,  through  dangerous  and  quivering  swamps,  past  the  nice  country 
residences,  and  at  last,  tired  and  bruised,  we  drew  up  at  the  Hen  and 
Chickens,  my  old  inn,  and  were  received  at  the  door  by  the  same  old  head 
waiter,  bald  as  ever,  his  face  as  red  and  oily  as  usual,  his  hair,  what  little  he 
had,  as  stiff  and  fiery  as  it  was  a  year  before,  and  he  wrung  his  hands,  and 
smiled,  just  as  he  did  the  first  day  I  saw  him. 

"  Mike,  me  boy,"  said  the  waiter. 

"  Jeemes,  me  buy,"  was  the  remark  of  Mike  to  the  waiter,  and,  after  much 
cautioning,  Mike  placed  his  precious  gun  in  the  hands  of  "Jeemes, "and 
told  him  to  take  care  of  it,  and  then  he  proceeded  to  show  me  some  atten- 
tion. 

"  'Appy  to  see  yer,  sir,"  was  the  greeting.  "  Vil  yer  'ave  the  same  hold 
room,  sir?  It  's  hall  ready,  sir,  and  the  chambermaid  vil  be  delighted  to 
know  that  yer  'as  come  back,  sir,  and  yer  clothes  is  hall  right,  sir,  and  the 
chambermaid  'as  brushed  'em  twice  a  veek,  'cos  she  said  it  vos  a  melancho- 
ly pleasure  to  'er,  sir,  to  do  them  little  things  for  yer.  They  is  hall  ready 
for  yer,  sir,  at  this  moment,  if  yer  vants  'em,  and  vot  vil  yer  'ave  for  sup- 
per?" 

"Looka-here,  Jeemes,"  said  Mike,  "this  gintleman  is  none  of  yer  com- 
mon sort.  He  will  have  a  bed-chamber,  and  parlor,  and  grub  in  his  own 
room.  He  don't  ate  here  wid  ivery  one,  now  I  tell  yer  that,  and  do  yer 
moind  me,  me  buy?" 

"  Certainly.  Ve  vil  do  vot  ve  can  to  make  'im  'appy.  Got  just  the  rooms 
for  'im,  but  they  comes  werry  hexpensive." 

"To  the  divil  wid  yer  hexpense,"  roared  Mike.  "  We  has  money  enough 
to  buy  yer  ould  shebang,  and  ivery  body  in  it  His  honor  can  fill  a  room 
wid  gould,  and  not  moind  it,  or  miss  it." 

"  Bless  me,  yer  don't  say  so,"  and  the  head  waiter's  eyes  expressed  as- 
tonishment. 

I  had  my  luggage  taken  to  my  rooms,  and  left  Mike  to  arrange  for  sup- 
per, while  I  went  in  search  of  a  hot  bath,  and,  luckily,  found  a  place  on 
Market  Square,  and,  after  I  returned  to  the  Hen  and  Chickens,  a  nice  meal 
was  already  served  in  my  room,  and  as  soon  as  it  was  disposed  of,  in  addi- 
tion to  a  pipe  of  tobacco,  and  a  glass  of  old  ale,  I  was  ready  for  the  nicest 
bed  that  I  had  slept  in  for  nearly  a  year. 


3OO  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

Just  before  I  fell  asleep  I  thought  of  the  wonderful  changes  that  had 
taken  place  in  my  fortunes  since  I  landed  at  Melbourne,  and  then  I  felt  a 
thrill  of  pleasure  at  the  idea  that  Florence  was  not  more  than  a  mile  from 
me,  and  that  I  could  see  her  if  I  would  only  summon  sufficient  courage  to 
call  on  her.  But  I  was  not  ready  for  that  duty  just  then,  and  went  to  sleep, 
and  dreamed  that  my  wife  had  been  scalped  by  a  dozen  bushrangers,  and 
that  they  were  dividing  her  curls  as  souvenirs,  while  I,  tied  to  a  tree,  was 
powerless  to  prevent  them,  and  when  I  awoke  Mike  was  pulling  one  of  my 
arms  out  of  its  socket  in  the  hope  of  arousing  me. 

"  Murderation,  yer  honor,  but  yer  has  had  a  moighty  hard  toime  of  it  in 
yer  slape,  to  joodge  by  the  way  yer  made  the  bed-clothes  fly.  Come,  the 
breakfast  is  all  riddy,  and  it  's  eight  o'clock,  and  a  bright  morning  for  this 
part  of  the  woorld,  but  nothin'  to  Oulcl  Oireland." 

I  was  soon  shaved  and  dressed  (not  that  the  former  operation  required 
much  time),  and  put  on  the  business  suit  I  had  left  at  the  inn,  and  the  very 
one  I  wore  the  day  I  landed  in  Melbourne.  It  did  make  me  feel  a  little 
stiff  and  constrained  to  put  on  a  white  linen  shirt,  and  collar,  and  neatly 
fitting  clothes,  but,  at  any  rate,  I  felt  that  I  wa»  cleaner,  and  more  suited  for 
the  company  of  ladies  and  gentlemen,  in  case  I  should  be  thrown  into  their 
society,  than  when  clothed  in  rough  garments. 

As  I  ate  my  breakfast,  waited  on  by  Mike,  who  would  not  sit  at  the  table 
with  me,  I  read  an  account  in  the  morning  paper  of  the  destruction  of  the 
gang  of  bushrangers,  and  the  terrible  fight  which  Mr.  Kebblewhite 
had  waged  with  the  robbers  when  he  was  first  captured,  and  how 
he  had  defied  them  to  the  last,  and  there  was  some  few  words  of  praise  for  a 
miner  whose  name  was  unknown,  and  an  Irishmen,  and  Chinamen,  who  had 
rendered  some  little  assistance  at  the  eleventh  hour,  but  nothing  to  any  ex- 
tent, a  statement  that  made  Mike  almost  wild,  and  he  wanted  to  go  and 
punch  old  Mr.  Kebblewhite's  blasted  head  for  giving  out  such  an  account  to 
the  press,  but  I  persuaded  him  to  keep  cool,  and  let  the  story  pass  for  what 
it  was  worth. 

After  a  leisurely  breakfast,  I  took  my  drafts  to  the  Oriental  Bank,  found 
that  everything  was  satisfactory,  and  was  received  with  much  courtesy  by 
the  cashier,  who  was  disposed  to  respect  a  man  who  had  so  large  a  balance 
standing  in  his  favor,  and  had  not  drawn  on  his  account  from  the  time  he 
made  the  first  deposit.  Then  I  took  Mr.  Murden's  half  of  the  buried  treas- 
ure, all  in  good  new  bills  of  large  denominations,  and  went  to  the  police 
headquarters,  and  found  the  Chief  in  his  office,  and  very  glad  he  seemed  to 
see  me,  and  very  much  pleased  to  have  placed  in  his  hands  near  nine  thou- 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  301 

sand  pounds,  which  he  never  would  have  obtained  had  I  not  let  him  into  an 
important  secret,  and  asked  his  aid. 

"  Have  you  received  any  information  of  the  gentleman  who  so  nearly  re- 
sembles me  ?  "  I  asked,  after  the  money  was  counted,  and  locked  up  in  a 
huge  safe.  - 

"  Yes,  and  no.  One  of  my  mounted  force  has  sent  me  a  short  despatch, 
saying  that  he  was  on  the  trail  of  a  man  and  girl,  near  the  banks  of  the  Mur- 
ray, but  that  he  could  not  tell  who  he  is,  or  where  he  comes  from.  He  is 
spending  his*  time  shooting  kangaroos,  black  swans,  and  ducks,  and  ap- 
pears to  have  no  other  occupation.  There  may  be  something  in  it,  but  we 
must  wait.  There  are  so  many  sheep-runs  on  the  Murray  that  it  will  take 
time  to  look  them  all  up,  and  examine  them.  Courage,  my  boy.  All  will 
come  out  right  I  hope." 

I  sighed  very  dolefully,  for  when  a  man  is  separated  from  a  young  and 
pretty  wife  he  is  apt  to  be  low-spirited. 

"  Don't  sigh  like  that,"  laughed  .the  Chief.  "  A  man  can  be  a  devoted 
lover,  and  yet  wear  a  smiling  face.  Come  home  with  me  today,  and  dine, 
and  we  '11  drink  a  glass,  or  half  a  dozen  of  them,  for  that  matter,  of  real  old 
champagne  to  the  health  of  the  Belle  of  Australia  and  her  husband,  and 
then  we  will  go  to  the  theatre,  and  perhaps  she  will  be  there,  and  you  can 
see  her.  Is  it  a  bargain  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  suppose  so.  But  it  is  hard  not  to  be  able  to  approach  the  lady, 
and  speak  to  her,"  I  said. 

"  All  in  good  time.  Let  us  show  her  that  you  are  a  true  man,  and  love 
her  dearly,  and  her  woman's  heart  will  flop  towards  you  like  a  white  swan 
to  its  mate.  Now  read  the  morning  papers,  and  let  me  receive  a  few  re- 
ports, and  I  shall  be  able  to  talk  with  you  about  that  wool  speculation." 

A  dozen  officers,  detectives,  and  inspectors  came  in,  and  reported,  re- 
ceived instructions  on  some  pressing  matters,  and  went  about  their  work, 
and,  after  all  had  gone.  Mr.  Murden  was  ready  for  business. 

"  Your  amiable  father-in-law,"  he  said,  "  has  circulated  such  accounts 
of  the  immense  wool  clip,  that  holders  are  anxious  to  realize,  and  ready  to 
sell  at  a  low  price.  I  know  that  the  reports  are  false,  and  that  the  clip  will 
be  short  by  nearly  a  million  pounds.  Now,  take  my  nine  thousand  pounds, 
and  put  in  nine  thousand  of  your  own,  go  to  this  broker  (handing  me  a  card), 
and  tell  him  to  buy  for  your  account  four  hundred  thousand  pounds  of  wool, 
at  the  lowest  market  price,  to  be  delivered  in  the  course  of  a  month  Put 
up  our  money  as  a  margin,  to  show  that  you  are  sincere.  There  is  a  large 
auction  sale  at  noon  today,  and  the  purchase  can  be  completed  at  once. 


302  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

We  '11  give  old  Kebblewhite  a  twist,  or  I  'm  much  mistaken,  and,  remember, 
the  richer  you  are  the  better  he  '11  like  you  for  a  son-in-law." 

I  took  the  card,  and  saw  that  the  broker's  office  was  located  on  Collins 
Street,  and  lost  no  time  iu  going  there.  I  met  many  people  who  stared  at  me 
rather  hard,  and  one  gentleman  took  off  his  hat,  and  bowed  very  low,  and 
would  have  stopped  and  spoken  to  me,  but,  as  I  knew  it  would  be  on  the 
same  old  subject,  I  hurried  along,  and  found  the  broker,  and  laid  my  pro- 
ject before  him. 

"  You  are  incurring  some  risk  in  buying  so  much  wool  on  a  falling  mar- 
ket," he  said.  "  I  never  knew  it  so  low ;  but  still,  if  you  are  prepared  to  put 
up  a  margin,  I  should  like  the  commission." 

"And  you  '11  keep  the  matter  a  secret,  so  that  there  shall  be  no  chance 
for  a  rise  on  the  strength  of  our  purchase  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Certainly,  that  is  part  of  my  business,"  was  the  reply.  "  We  can  keep 
secrets  when  necessary." 

I  deposited  eighteen  thousand  pounds  with  him,  and  then  started  on  my 
return  to  the  Hen  and  Chickens,  when,  just  as  I  was  turning  into  Russell 
Street,  who  should  I  encounter,  face  to  face,  but  Doctor  Haverley  Haverley, 
the  gentleman  who  had  claimed  me  as  the  Earl  of  Afton,  in  front  of  the 
club  house,  and  intimated  that  he  was  a  great  friend  of  the  old  nobleman,  my 
father. 

"  Gracious  Heaven !  what  are  you  doing  here,  my  lord  ?  "  the  surgeon 
asked,  apparently  astonished  at  seeing  me. 

"  I  am  in  the  city  on  business,"  I  answered. 

"  Shall  you  remain  for  any  length  of  time,  my  lord  ?" 

"  I  am  uncertain  at  the  present  moment  how  long  I  shall  remain,"  was 
my  answer,  for  I  had  no  relish  for  an  argument. 

"  And  when  did  you  arrive,  my  lord  ?  " 

"  Yesterday." 

"  And  you  did  not  think  it  worth  your  while  to  call  on  me,  my  lord  ?  " 

"  What  would  have  been  the  use  ?  You  would  have  reproached  me,  and 
we  should  never  understand  each  other,"  I  answered,  for  it  was  no  use  to 
argue  with  a  man  whose  mind  was  already  made  up. 

"  True,  my  lord,  I  should  have  reproached  you,  for  it  was  not  acting  with 
candor  to  te1!  me  that  you  could  not  marry  Miss  Kebblewhite,  and  then, 
when  I  had  left  you  for  a  few  moments  to  attend  a  patient,  to  go  to  the 
house,  and  marry  her,  and,  after  you  had  been  united,  to  act  so  much  like  a 
simpleton  as  to  desert  her  in  an  hour's  time." 

"  You  are  candid,  doctor." 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  303 

"  I  mean  to  be,  my  lord.  I  have  letters  from  your  noble  mother  asking 
for  information  concerning  you,  and  what  can  I  write  her  ?  " 

44 1  am  sure  I  don't  know,"  I  replied. 

"  For  nearly  a  year  I  have  heard  not  one  word  concerning  you,  except  a 
short  letter  saying  that  you  were  having  a  jolly  time,  and  that  you  meant 
to  keep  it  up,  for  it  was  much  pleasanter  than  fashionable  life.  There  was 
no  date  on  the  note,  and  no  postmark.  You  did  not  go  to  Gelong,  as  I  pro- 
posed, overland  ?  " 

';  No,"  I  said,  "  I  did  not  go  to  Gelong." 

"  Then  where  did  you  go,  my  lord  ?  Give  me  some  account  of  your 
life." 

"  It  is  too  eventful  to  be  told  on  the  corner  of  a  street.  Some  time  I  will 
relate  it  to  you  with  pleasure." 

Just  at  this  moment  Mr.  Mattocks  passed  us,  and  gave  me  a  cold  bow, 
and  the  surgeon  a  cordial  one.  He  did  not  like  me,  for  he  had  been  a 
suitor  for  Florence's  hand,  and  failed  to  win  her. 

"  Poor  Mattocks,"  the  surgeon  said,  u  he  feels  his  loss  keenly,  and  will 
never  see  another  lady  whom  he  can  love  as  he  did  the  Belle  of  Australia. 
Strange  that  what  you  do  not  value  he  would  esteem  as  the  best  thing  in 
this  world.  Will  you  take  my  arm,  my  lord,  and  walk  home  with  me  ?  My 
wife  will  be  pleased  to  see  you." 

"Thanks,  but  I  shall  have  to  defer  the  pleasure,  and  when  we  next  meet 
I  trust  that  you  will  not  condemn  me  as  you  do  today." 

I  lifted  my  hat,  and  parted  from  the  kind-hearted  surgeon,  leaving  him 
standing  on  the  sidewalk  a  little  astonished  at  my  coolness  and  indifference 
to  an  old  friend  of  the  family. 

I  had  half  a  dozen  low  bows  before  I  was  sheltered  in  the  Hen  and 
Chickens,  and,  to  prevent  embarrassment,  when  I  went  to  Mr.  Murden's 
house  to  dine,  took  a  hansom,  and  thus  escaped  notice. 

Mr.  Murclen  was  a  widower,  but  had  a  good  housekeeper,  one  who  could 
look  after  his  personal  comforts  without  the  expectation  of  marrying  him 
as  soon  as  he  grew  old  and  childish,  and  thereby  gain  a  husband,  and  a  for- 
tune at  the  same  time.  She  knew  the  temper  of  her  employer,  and  so  mind- 
ed h>r  own  business,  and  served  up  a  charming  little  dinner,  and  we  en- 
joyed it,  and  at  eight  o'clock  took  a  hansom,  and  went  to  the  Royal  Victoria 
Theatre,  and  retired  to  the  recesses  of  a  private  box,  for  Mr.  Murden  did 
not  think  it  safe  to  exhibit  me  to  the  full  gaze  of  a  Melbourne  audience,  un- 
til a  public  explanation  had  been  made  regarding  my  conduct  in  the  matri- 
monial line. 


3°4  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

The  play  was  a  burlesque  of  some  kind.  The  •'  Invisible  Prince,"  I 
think,  or  it  might  have  been  the  "  White  Fawn,"  I  was  so  busy  scanning 
the  house  to  see  if  Florence  was  present,  that  I  did  not  notice,  but  sudden- 
denly  one  of  the  lady  actresses  advanced  to  the  footlights  to  sing  some  dog- 
gerel, and  in  her  lines  she  improvised :  — 

"  Now  I  see  that  he  is  here, 
Earl  of  Afton,  noble  peer, 
He  left  his  bride  on  his  wedding  night ; 
Left  her,  it  is  said,  because  he  was  tight. 
These  are  the  nobles  we  love  so  well, 
This  is  the  man  who  married  our  Belle." 

The  lines  were  evidently  manufactured  for  the  occasion,  and  by  some 
person  on  the  stage,  who  saw  me,  and  supposed  that  I  was  the  real  lord, 
and  not  the  plebeian.  But  little  notice  would  have  been  taken  of  the  cir- 
cumstance, if  the  singer,  rather  a  pretty  and  piquant  girl,  dressed  so  that 
most  of  her  form  showed  to  great  advantage  through  very  little  clothing, 
pointed  directly  at  me  in  the  private  box,  thus  calling  the  attention  of  the 
audience  to  the  fact  that  1  was  in  the  theatre.  I  don't  suppose  the  girl  real- 
ly meant  anything  more  than  a  fling  at  me,  and  to  raise  a  laugh,  and  a  little- 
applause,  but  if  she  had  thrown  a  fire-ball  into  the  orchestra  she  could  not 
have  caused  more  excitement  than  she  did.  In  an  instant  there  was  an  up- 
roar, and  howls  and  hisses,  yells  and  stamps,  were  so  loud,  that  the  singer 
got  frightened,  and  fled  from  the  stage. 

"  Out  with  him  !  "  roared  the  audience. 

"  Throw  him  over !  "  yelled  the  gods  in  the  gallery,  and  down  on  the 
stage  came  oranges,  and  other  fruits,  and  the  groans  grew  louder. 

"Turn  him  out!"  shrieked  the  people  in  the  boxes,  and  the  women 
waved  their  handkerchiefs  to  encourage  the  men,  and  seemed  to  enjoy  the 
tumult. 

I  looked  on,  a  trifle  astonished  at  my  unpopularity,  or  rather  of  that  of 
the  Earl  of  Afton,  and  wondered  what  the  next  move  would  be.  The  noise 
continuing,  the  manager  came  forward,  but,  before  he  could  utter  a  word, 
an  orange  took  him  full  in  ttie  face,  and  another  struck  on  his  shirt  bosom, 
and  left  a  bad  stain.  Then  he  was  mad,  but  no  one  would  listen  to  him  for 
a  moment. 

"  Will  you  go,  or  remain  ?  "  asked  Murden.  "  If  you  will  stay  I  '11  have 
enough  men  here  in  ten  minutes  to  protect  you,  but  you  will  be  injured  very 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  305 

probably,  and  so  will  some  others.  The  best  thing  we  can  do  is  to  cut 
?tick,  and  beat  a  hasty  retreat.  An  Australian  mob  is  the  devil,  and  you 
can  neither  coax  it,  nor  drive  it,  except  with  bayonets.  Let  us  slip  out 
through  the  stage  door,  and  so  throw  the  people  off  the  trail.  Come  along. 
We  have  no  time  to  lose." 

And  we  did  n't  have.  The  audience  was  just  roaring  itself  hoarse,  as  we 
slipped  out  of  the  box,  and  through  the  stage  entrances,  where  we  found 
the  actors  and  actresses  in  a  flutter  of  fear.  We  did  not  stop  to  exchange  a 
word  with  them,  or  the  manager.  Mr.  Murden  put  me  in  a  hansom,  and 
told  the  driver  to  be  off  as  quickly  as  he  could,  and,  while  I  went  to  the 
shelter  of  the  Hen  and  Chickens,  the  Chief  returned  to  the  stage  of  the 
theatre,  and  assured  the  audience  that  the  obnoxious  person  had  leit,  and 
would  not  return,  and  that,  now  they  had  given  expression  to  their  feelings 
as  true  British  subjects,  men  who  would  never  be  slaves  to  caste,  or  to  rank 
of  any  kind,  but  loved  fair  play,  the  burlesque  would  go  on.  Then  the  au- 
dience called  for  three  cheers  for  Mr.  Murden,  for  Englishmen  in  general, 
and  themselves  in  particular,  and  allowed  the  young  lady  with  but  few 
clothes  to  finish  her  song,  and  mincing  walk  at  the  same  time,  so  I  lost  the 
benefit  of  that  play  through  my  resemblance  to  the  Earl  of  Afton,  confound 
him  !  as  I  said  at  the  time. 

The  next  morning,  at  nine  o'clock,  while  I  was  reading  a  paper,  giving  a 
highly  colored  account  of  the  outbreak  at  the  theatre,  an  officer  entered,  and 
gave  me  a  note  from  the  Chief.  It  read,  — 

"Dear  Mr.  Angus,  —  Come  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Kebblewhite  as  soon  as 
possible.  We  have  got  him,  or  got  you,  I  don't  know  which,  or  who  is 
who,  and  I  'm  in  a  maze,  and  have  been  a  blasted  fool,  and  I  a'n't  fit  to  be 
Chief  of  Police,  and  I  mean  to  resign,  and  turn  shepherd,  or  hang  myself, 
or  do  something  desperate.  Both  of  you  must  be  confronted  with  your 
(his)  wife,  and  let  her  decide  which  is  the  rightful  one. 

"  Yours  mystified, 

"  MURDEN." 

"  When  was  he  brought  in  ?  "  I  asked  the  officer. 

"  Late  last  night,  sir." 

"  Does  he  look  like  me  ?  " 

"  Well,  sir,  I  think  you  got  here  before  me.  and  that  Mr.  Murden  is  up  to 
some  lark.  If  there  are  two  of  you  I  could  not  tell  you  apart,  and  no  one 
else  could.  It 's  some  joke  of  the  Chief,  I  really  believe." 

20 


306  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

I  dressed  with  care,  and  some  little  nervous  haste,  and  then  told  Mike 
that  my  double  had  been  found,  and  that  he  was  to  be  exposed  in  the  course 
of  the  forenoon. 

"  Shall  I  bate  him,  sur?"  Mike  asked. 

"  No,  but  you  may  go  with  me." 

It  was  half-past  ten  when  we  drove  up  to  Mr.  Kebblewhite's  house.  I 
saw  two  hansoms  there,  and  supposed  that  Mr.  Murden  had  already  arrived. 
I  hurried  to  the  door,  and  was  met  by  Harry,  the  inside  servant  and  butler. 

"  Veil,  vich  is  vich  ?  "  he  asked,  with  a  grin.  "  There  is  von  of  yer  in  the 
dinin'-room,  and  yer  go  in  the  parlor  and  vait.  Miss  Florence  vill  'ave  a 
nice  time  assortin'  yer  over,  and  a-pickin'  of  yer  ho'ut,  and  tellin'  vich  is 
vich,  and  the  hold  man  is  in  a  horful  'umor,  I  tells  yer.  But  arter  hall  she 
von't  know  if  she  'as  got  the  right  von." 

How  I  trembled  as  I  entered  the  large  drawing-room,  which  I  remember- 
ed so  well.  I  walked  to  the  very  spot  where  I  had  knelt  when  I  was  mar- 
ried ;  I  glanced  over  the  music  on  the  grand  piano,  and  saw  that  the  song 
"  Then  You  '11  Remember  Me  "  was  on  the  rack  ;  1  noticed  the  clock,  the 
windows,  the  paintings,  the  flowers,  the  carpet,  and  Persian  rugs,  and  then 
the  folding-doors  were  thrown  open  with  a  crash,  and  Mr.  Murden  came 
toward  me,  arm  in  arm  with  a  dark  young  man,  with  black  curling  hair,  and 
the  very  features,  form,  and  height  of  myself,  as  far  as  I  could  judge. 

For  one  minute  we  gazed  at  each  other  without  speaking,  and  then,  faint 
with  suspense  and  apprehension,  I  sat  down  in  a  chair,  and  covered  my  eyes 
with  my  hands  to  hide  the  tears  that  would  steal  down  my  cheeks,  but  they 
were  tears  of  joy,  to  think  that  I  had  been  vindicated  from  all  the  charges 
brought  against  me. 

"  My  God  !  what  a  wonderful  resemblance  to  each  other,"  cried  Mr.  Mur- 
den. "  Don't  move  ;  don't  mix  yourselves  up.  Stand  just  where  you  are. 
Sit  still.  If  you  stir  we  shall  never  know  who  is  who.  Well,  this  beats  all 
of  my  experience  on  the  police.  Which  of  you  is  the  Earl  of  Afton  ?  " 

"  I  think  that  gentleman  must  be,"  and  my  double  laughed,  and  pointed 
to  me. 

"  No,  it  is  not  true.     1  am  plain  Angus  Mornington,"  I  cried. 

"And  I  am  Angus  Mornington,  also,  but  I  won't  admit  that  I  am  plain, 
for  the  ladies  say  I  am  not,"  and  the  other  Angus  stroked  his  light  mus- 
tache, and  laughed  as  if  he  had  not  a  care  in  the  world,  except  getting  into 
difficulties,  and  out  of  them. 

"  How  in  the  name*  of  Heaven  does  it  happen  that  we  look  so  much 
alike  ?  "  I  asked,  as  soon  as  I  could  speak. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  307 


"  Well,  Mornington,  my  father  was  a  very  handsome  man,  and  a  naval 
officer,"  the  earl  laughed,  in  a  careless  way. 

"  And  my  father  was  a  very  handsome  man,  and  a  naval  officer,  also. 
Was  your  mother  very  attractive  ?  "  I  asked,  and  the  young  fellow  flushed, 
and  then  laughed,  as  he  said,  — 

'  Let  us  drop  personalities.  It  seems  that  you  have  caused  me  much  in- 
convenience by  traveling  all  through  the  country,  and  making  love  to  every 
pretty  girl  you  met.  That  was  not  right,  Mr.  Mornington.  You  should  not 
disgrace  the  name.  Be  true  to  your  honor,  and  the  fair  sex,  if  you  wish  to 
succeed  in  life,  and  be  an  ornament  to  society,  like  myself,"  and  he  laughed 
again. 

This  sounded  well  from  a  man  who  had  been  doing  some  very  disreputa- 
ble things  all  through  the  country,  for  the  past  twelve  months,  and  for  which 
I  had  to  bear  the  blame. 

"  If  you  are  a  sample  of  the  ornaments  of  society,"  I  said,  "  I  should  pre- 
fer to  mingle  with  those  who  are  outcasts,  for  even  the  latter  have  some  re- 
gard for  their  word,  while  you  had  rather  deceive  a  woman  than  aid  one." 

"  Don't  be  too  severe,  Mornington,"  laughed  the  nobleman,  for  noble- 
man he  was.  "  You  have  injured  my  reputation,  married  the  Belle  of  Aus- 
tralia, and  then  deserted  her  the  very  night  of  the  wedding,  which  I  should 
not  have  done,  and  I  am  afraid  that  my  friends  have  put  me  down  for  an 
imbecile,  and  that  I  shall  never  recover  lost  ground.  Then  you  send  out  a 
squad  of  policemen  to  hunt  me  up,  and  offer  a  reward  for  my  apprehension, 
and  drag  me  here,  just  as  I  was  having  the  best  of  shooting  on  the  Murray, 
killing  kangaroos  and  ducks  to  the  right  and  left,  and  I  want  to  go  back  as 
soon  as  possible." 

"Not  until  a  full  explanation  is  made,"  I  said.  "Clear  me  of  all  false 
charges,  and  I  will  willingly  see  you  depart." 

"  Upon  my  word,  I  can't  act  as  your  father  confessor,  Mornington.  I 
have  no  sins  of  my  own,  and  don't  know  how  t/>  rebuke  those  which  others 
have." 

He  moved  toward  a  seat,  but  Mr.  Murden  kept  close  to  him,  for  fear  he 
would  escape. 

"  Don't  get  mixed,"  he  pleaded.  "  You  are  dressed  about  alike,  and  I 
can't  distinguish  you  if  I  turn  my  head  for  a  moment.  Keep  still  for  a 
while.'1 

'•  A  lady  is  'ere  vot  is  haxin'  fcr  Mr.  Mornington/'  cried  Harry,  putting 
his  head  in  at  the  door. 

"  Some  of  your  flames  have  followed  you  here,  Mornington,"  said  my 


308  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

good-natured,  impudent  double,  with  a  laugh.     "  We  will  retire  if  necessary. 
Don't  mind  us." 

The  next  instant  a  lady  entered  the  drawing-room,  and,  to  my  intense  as- 
tonishment, 1  saw  that  it  was  my  mother,  whom  I  supposed  in  Boston. 

"  O  my  dear  boy,  O  my  dear  son,"  she  cried,  and  folded  the  lord  in  her 
arms,  while  I  was  left  out  in  the  cold,  and  neglected. 

"  Gently,  madame,"  laughed  the  lord.  "Give  me  a  chance  to  breathe, 
you  know,  because  it  's  deuced  awkward  to  be  smothered  by  one's  own 
mother.  Now  then,  try  it  again,  if  you  want  to." 

"  Mother,"  I  said,  "  I  am  the  one  to  welcome  you.  I  am  the  one  who 
should  receive  those  kisses." 

The  poor  woman  came  to  me,  and  stopped,  looked  at  us,  first  one  and 
then  the  other,  and,  woman-like,  began  to  cry  to  express  her  feelings. 

"  I  see  it  all  now,"  she  said,  as  I  put  my  arms  around  her,  and  kissed  her 
heavenly  face,  and  strove  to  dry  her  tears.  "  You  are  both  named  Angus 
Mornington?" 

"That is  my  family  name,"  said  the  young  lord,  with  a  tender  look  on 
his  face,  all  levity  being  banished  for  the  time  being. 

"  And  that  is  my  family  name,  also,  as  you  well  know,  dear  mother,"  I  re- 
sponded. 

She  made  a  motion  for  the  Chief  to  close  the  doors,  and  he  obeyed,  but 
remained  in  the  room. 

"  Angus,"  she  said,  looking  at  me,  and  to  the  second  Angus,  "take  each 
other's  hands,  and  love  one  another,  tor  you  are  twin  brothers,  as  I  hope 
for  heaven." 

"  What ! "  we  both  exclaimed,  thinking  that  the  lady  was  insane. 
"You  were  born  twin  brothers,  and  J  am  your  mother,"  she  repeated. 
"  Come,  you  know,  that  is  a  little  rough  on  a  fellow.     Confound  it,  my  ti- 
tle and  fortune  are  involved,  you  know.     This  is  a  strange  sort  of  romance 
to  spring  on  a  fellow,  you  know.     By  Jove,  I  don't  know  what  to  think  of 
this,"  and  the  noble  lord  did  n't  look  happy. 

"  Is  this  gentleman  to  be  trusted?"  my  mother  asked,  pointing  to  Mr. 
Murden. 

"  Yes,  I  am  sure  of  him,"  I  cried,  and  the  other  Angus  nodded  asseni  to 
my  words. 

"  Then  listen  to  me,  children,"  she  said.  "  Here,  take  a  seat  on  each 
side  of  me,  on  the  sofa,  and  let  me  hold  your  hands." 

"  Don't  mix  'em,"  cried  the  Chief,  but  no  notice  was  paid  to  him. 

"  When    I   was  first  married  to  your  father,  Angus,"  patting  me  on  the 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  309 

cheek,  and  then  patting  the  other  fellow,  "  he  was  ordered  to  the   Mediter- 
ranean station,  as  the  first  lieutenant  of  the  United-States  ship  Ohio,  one 
of  the  largest  men-of-war  in  the  navy.     I  followed  him  in  a  packet  across 
the  Atlantic,  and  met  my  husband  at   Naples,  where  his  vessel  was  lying 
close  by  the   seventy-four-gun-ship  Asia,  a  famous  craft  in  the    English 
navy.     Her  first  lieutenant  was  Angus  Mornington,  the  only  son  of  the 
Earl  of  Afton,  and   called    Lord  Mornington,  being  a   lord  by  courtesy. 
My  husband  was  of  Scotch  descent,  and  was  also  named   Angus  Morning- 
ton,  and  a  distant  relative  of  his  lordship.     The  singularity  of  the  names 
and  positions  of  the  two  gentlemen,  and  relationship  also,  made  them  fast 
friends.     Lady  Mornington  and  I  also  became  attached  to  each  other.     My 
husband  saved  the  life  of  Lord  Mornington  one  night,  in  Naples,  and  thus 
they  were  greater  friends  than  ever  after  that  event.     We  all  had  rooms  on 
the  same  floor  at  the  Hotel  de  Europe,  and  the  husbands  passed  what  time 
they  could  with  us,  and  thus  we  were  two  happy  families.     Singular  as  it 
may  seem,  Lady  Mornington  and  I  became  mothers  at  the  same  time,  at  the 
same  hour,  and  in  nearly  adjoining  apartments.     Her  ladyship's  child  was  a 
girl,  but  it  lived  only  a  few  moments  after  birth,  while  I  was  the  mother  of 
twins,  two  stout,  healthy  boys,  but  of  this   I   was  not  conscious  for  many 
days  afterward,  and  now  rely  entirely  upon  my  late  husband's  statement, 
and  that  of  the  nurse,  a  faithful  and  devoted  Frenchwoman,  whom  we  en- 
gaged at  Naples,  for  all  the  events  that  followed.     Lady  Mornington  was  so 
much  affected  at  the  birth  of  a  babe  that  she  was  almost  wild  with  joy,  and 
her  husband  did  not  dare  to  tell  her  that  the  child  was  a  girl,  and  dead.     He 
made  so  many  objections  to  her  seeing  the   baby,  that  at  last  her  ladyship 
grew  suspicious,  and  finally  frantic  for  a  sight  of  her  infant,  and  then  his 
lordship  hit  upon  the  expedient  of  borrowing  one  of  my  children,  and  pre- 
senting it  to  his  wife  as  her  own.     I  was  unconscious  of  the  deception,  for 
I  knew  nothing  of  the  affairs  of  the  world  for  many  weeks.     My  husband 
saw  that  it  was  a  matter  of  life  or  death  to  the  wife  of   his  best  friend,  and 
consented  that  one  of  his  boys  should  be  exhibited  to  her  ladyship,  and  that 
the  deception  might  be  kept  up  until  Lady  Mornington  should  recover  her 
health  and  strength ;  but  she  became  so  devoted  to  the  babe  that  neither 
my  husband  nor  his  lordship  dared  to  undeceive  her,  and  thus  matters  drift- 
ed on  until  I  was  able  to  travel,  and  still  the  terrible  secret  was  kept  from 
both  mothers,  and  at  last  the  two  husbands  swore  never  to  reveal  the  matter 
as  long  as  they  lived,  so  that  no  question  could  arise  about  inheriting  the 
Mornington  title  and  fortune.     These  are  the  facts  of  the  case,  and   it 
was  only  after  my  husband's  death  that  I   discovered  his  statement,  ad- 


310  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

dressed  to  me,  unsigned,  and  not  sworn  to,  with  the  request  that  I  would 
not  make  it  knuwn  to  any  one,  and  I  should  not  now,  were  it  not  for  the  pe- 
culiar position  in  which  you  are  placed.  No  harm  can  happen  to  either  of 
you  by  what  I  have  stated.  The  nurse  is  dead,  Angus's  father  is  dead, 
Lord  Mornington  is  dead,  and  the  Dowager  Countess  of  Afton  knows  noth- 
ing about  the  exchange,  so  proof  is  impossible,  for  my  lips  are  sealed  from 
this  moment  on  the  subject.  As  soon  as  I  received  your  letters,  Angus, 
telling  me  of  the  wonderful  likeness  which  you  bore  to  my  other  Angus,  I 
knew  that  you  and  your  twin-brother  were  near  each  other,  for  I  recognized 
the  name,  and  then  determined  to  come  here,  and  see  you  both,  if  possible, 
and  also  be  prepared  to  love  my  daughter-in-law.  I  took  passage  in  a  fast- 
sailing  clipper  ship  from  Boston  to  Melbourne,  arrived  yesterday,  and  have 
spent  most  of  my  time  in  discovering  your  whereabouts,  and  I  should  have 
been  unsuccessful  had  you  not  told  me  the  name  of  your  bride.  Some  gen- 
tlemen directed  me  here,  and,  thank  Heaven,  I  have  met  both  of  my  sons, 
but  one  of  them  I  must  love  a  little  better  than  the  other,  as  is  natural,  for 
from  this  time  forth  one  is  my  real  son,  and  the  other  is  the  Earl  of  Af- 
ton, and  belongs  to  another  mother.  It  must  be  so,  for  it  is  too  late  now  to 
exchange  children,  or  explain  matters  to  the  world." 

We  kissed  her  hands,  and  my  brother  was  visibly  affected.  But  he  did 
not  want  to  lose  his  title  and  wealth,  and  so  acquiesced  in  the  arrangement 
without  a  murmur.  No  wonder.  He  had  not  known  my  mother's  tender 
care,  and  it  was  natural  he  should  not  enthuse  over  a  lady  he  had  never 
seen  before. 

"  What  puzzles  me,"  said  his  lordship,  for  so  I  shall  continue  to  call  him, 
"is  this.  I  am  one  of  the  best  of  men,  and  my  brother  is  rather  wild,  and 
uncertain.  How  do  you  account  for  it,  mother  dear  ?  " 

This  was  cool,  and  even  Mr.  Murden  had  to  laugh,  while  I  looked  indig- 
nant. 

"  I  do  not  think  that  a  young  gentleman  who  engages  himself  to  a  lady, 
and  then  permits  his  brother  to  take  his  place  to  save  the  reputation  of  the 
family,  can  make  many  boasts  of  his  goodness,"  replied  my  mother,  slightly 
pulling  the  ear  of  the  earl,  while  she  pressed  my  hand. 

My  brother  laughed,  as  he  said,  — 

"  Well,  I  think  Angus  is  a  little  superior  to  me  in  some  respects.  But  if 
he  had  had  my  position,  my  wealth,  and  my  crowd  of  flatterers,  would  he 
have  been  so  much  better,  do  you  think?  Answer  that,  mother,"  and  for  a 
moment  he  was  serious. 

"  Angus  was  always  a  good  son,"  was  all  the  remark  my  mother  made, 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  311 

for  she  wished  to  be  non-committal  on  some  points,  and  she  was  not  aware 
of  all  that  I  had  suffered  on  my  brother's  account. 

"  The  history  which  you  have  here  related,,  inadame,"  said  Mr.  Murden, 
coming  forward,  "  bears  upon  its  face  the  test  of  truth,  and  if  further  proof 
was  wanting  —  don't  mix  up  please,"  for  my  brother  was  about  to  move  his 
position  on  the  sofa  —  "  look  at  the  two  young  gentlemen.  I  have  a  quick 
eye,  and  a  steady  one,  but  I  can't  tell  the  lord  from  the  commoner,  and  no 
one  can  do  so.  Even  their  mother  can't.  Now  I  have  abused  one  party, 
thinking  he  was  the  lord,  and  I  have  intimated  to  him  that  he  was  lying 
time  and  time  again,  and  will  say  this,  that  for  an  out-and-out  good  one  the 
commoner  is  the  best  man  I  ever  mef,  except  three  other  Americans,  whom 
I  won't  mention  at  the  present  time,  and  I  don't  know  but  that  he  is  their 
equal.  I  can't  yet  decide  the  point." 

My  mother  smiled  on  the  Chief  quite  graciously,  for  she  approved  of  his 
comments. 

"  Oh,  say  something  in  praise  of  me  also,"  laughed  my  brother.  "  You 
are  giving  the  other  too  much  of  a  good  thing." 

"  I  shall  have  to  wait  for  a  blessed  hereafter  before  I  can  praise  your 
lordship,"  was  the  answer.  "  To  tell  the  truth,  you  have  been  the  bete  noir 
of  my  life  for  the  past  year,  and  I  shall  be  glad  when  you  leave  the  coun- 
try." 

"  Well,  Mr.  Murden,  you  are  not  complimentary,"  laughed  my  brother,  as 
though  he  had  heard  a  good  joke.  "  But  I  am  going  home  in  a  short  time. 
I  determined  to  see  something  of  bush  life,  and  what  kind  of  ruffians  bush- 
rangers were  made  of.  I  met  two,  one  called  Black  Dick,  and  the  other 
Slipper  Sam,  and  Satan  never  painted  worse  scoundrels  than  those  two 
men." 

"  They  are  both  dead,  my  lord,"  the  Chief  said,  very  quietly. 

"  Are  they  ?  So  glad.  They  promised  to  teach  me  the  art  of  bushrang- 
ing  for  a  certain  sum,  and  to  let  me  do  as  I  pleased  in  the  mean  time.  They 
charged  high,  but  I  do  not  regret  the  experience.  The  first  victim  they 
practiced  on  was  a  Chinaman,  and  my  new  partners  threatened  to  blow  my 
head  off  for  interfering  in  their  business.  They  said  that  I  was  only  an 
apprentice  in  the  art,  and  had  no  voice  in  affairs  of  importance.  I  suppose 
the  poor  devil's  bones  are  picked  dry  by  this  time,  for  he  was  lashed  to  a 
tree,  near  an  ant  hill.  After  all,  the  scamps  did  not  get  a  penny,  for  he  had 
no  money." 

"  Yes,  he  did,"  I  said.  "  I  rescued  him,  and  in  his  queue  was  a  bag  con- 
taining three  pounds  of  gold." 


312  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

"  Well,  Angus,  I  'm  glad  that  you  are  capable  of  such  good  actions.  Ah, 
my  boy,  if  you  had  been  as  noble  in  all  your  conduct  how  proud  I  should  be 
of  you,"  and  the  earl  caressed  his  mustache,  and  looked  like  an  innocent 
young  man. 

I  thought  Mr.  Murden  would  explode  in  his  efforts  to  restrain  his  mirth, 
while  my  mother  kissed  me  to  show  how  much  she  approved  of  my  con- 
duct. 

"You  know,"  continued  my  brother,  after  Mr.  Murden  had  composed  his 
face,  "that  all  the  fellows  in  the  nobility  line  are  crazy  to  write  books,  and 
I  am  as  bad  as  the  rest.  I  struck  out  for  this  part  of  the  world,  and  can 
give  them  odds,  and  beat  them  all.  But  if  I  don't  write  a  book,  and  I  may 
be  too  lazy  to  attend  to  it,  I  '11  get  you  to  do  it  for  me,  Angus,  and  I  '11  pub- 
lish under  my  own  name,  and  you  shall  have  the  profits.  I  Ve  got  lots  of 
incidents  to  make  a  big  volume.  But  now  to  more  serious  things.  Mr. 
Murden,  you  have  heard  the  confession  of  my  mother,  and  a  dear,  good 
mother  she  is,  I  know,  and  all  that  sort  of  thing,  but  I  can't  love  her  quite 
as  well  as  I  do  my  reputed  mother,  who  has  spoiled  me  by  letting  me  have 
everything  that  my  fancy  craved.  You  don't  expect  it,  you  know,  do  you, 
mother?  " 

She,  with  tearful  eyes,  kissed  my  brother,  and  murmured,  — 

"  No,  I  don't  expect  it,"  but  it  cost  her  a  bitter  pang  to  utter  the  words. 

"  That  is  all  right,  you  know.  Now,  Mr.  Murden,  I  can  make  it  for  your 
interest  to  keep  still  about  this  matter.  Will  you  do  so?  " 

"  Yes,  my  lord,  most  faithfully  do  I  promise,  but  not  from  interested  mo- 
tives, or  pecuniary  reward." 

"  I  don't  care  what  your  motives  are  as  long  as  you  keep  your  mouth 
shut.  I  have  a  little  political  influence  at  home,  and  ca?.  use  it  at  tirres  for 
the  benefit  of  those  I  like.  The  office  of  lieutenant-governor  is  not  beyond 
the  reach  of  a  gentleman  like  you.  Think  of  that,  sir." 

Mr.  Murden  bowed  quite  low,  and  his  eyes  glistened  at  the  prospect  be- 
fore him.  From  a  simple  inspector  of  police  to  the  high  office  of  lieutenant 
governor  was  a  great  jump,  and  he  knew  it. 

"  Now  there  is  one  disagreeable  duty  for  me  to  perform,"  my  brother  re- 
marked, as  he  bent  down,  and  kissed  the  white  brow  of  his  mother,  "  and 
that  is  to  set  Angus  right  with  his  wife.  I  should  like  to  shirk  the  task, 
but  can't  see  my  way  out.  Somehow  she  thinks  he  is  a  little  off  color,  but 
we  can  persuade  her  that  she  must  not  believe  all  the  reports  she  has  heard 
about  him.  I  '11  stand  by  you,  Angus,  and,  although  I  won't  lie  to  any  wo- 
man, I  will  render  things  to  her  eyes  the  couleur  de  rose,  unless  you  have 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  313 

gone  too  far  in  your  liaisons,  and  if  you  have  I  give  you  up,"  and  he  looked 
the  picture  of  innocence. 

"  O  brother,"  I  asked,  "  does  the  nobility  of  England  possess  as  much 
impudence  as  you.  individually  and  collectively  ?  " 

"  I  am  afraid  that  I  am  modest  compared  to  some  of  them,  Angus.  Now, 
Mr.  Murden,  bring  in  the  actors.  I  understand  that  you  have  a  room  full 
of  interested  parties  up-stairs,  and  we  must  not  keep  them  waiting  too  long. 
We  will  let  thj  young  lady  pick  out  her  husband  if  she  can.  Let  us  test 
her,  Angus." 

"  It  is  cruel,"  I  said.     "  Pray  do  not  sport  with  so  serious  a  matter." 

"  Oh,  bosh,  just  as  though  a  young  woman  thinks  it  very  cruel  business 
to  pick  out  a  husband  Irorn  two  good-looking  fellows  like  you  and  me.  Call 
them  in,  Mr.  Murden.  The  sooner  the  thing  is  done  the  better  I  shall  feel. 
My  brother  is  spoony,  and,  if  he  has  done  some  wrong,  we  must  try  and 
set  him  up,  and  put  him  on  the  right  track,"  and  then  his  lordship  once 
more  smiled,  and  stroked  his  tiny  mustache. 

Mr.  Murden  threw  open  the  door,  and  left  us.  In  a  few  moments  we 
heard  a  rustle  on  the  stairs,  and  then  Mr.  Kebblewhite,  his  son,  Monsieur 
Allete,  the  maiden  aunts  and  cousins,  and,  lastly,  Florence,  looking  very 
anxious  and  handsome,  supported  by  her  fair-faced  and  gentle  mother,  all 
entered  the  drawing-room,  and  ranged  themselves  opposite  to  us,  like  wall- 
flowers in  a  ball-room. 

1  started  forward  to  greet  Florence,  and  welcome  her,  but  my  brother 
stopped  me. 

"  Fair  play,  Angus,"  he  whispered.  **  Give  me  a  chance.  Let  us  start 
square." 

My  dear  little  wife  had  been  informed  that  some  curious  denouement 
was  about  to  happen,  but  what  it  was  she  had  not  been  able  to  learn,  and 
now  that  she  was  permitted  to  look  around,  and  saw  standing  near  her  two 
men,  so  much  alike,  she  nestled  closer  to  her  mother,  and  exclaimed,  — 

"  Good  Heaven,  mamma,  there  's  two  of  them,  and  which  is  my  hus- 
band ? "  and  she  seemed  frightened. 

"  Can  you  ask  that  question,  Florence  ? "  demanded  my  brother,  as  he 
stepped  forward,  and  extended  his  hands,  as  though  to  inclose  the  dear  girl 
in  his  arms,  and  give  her  a  warm  embrace.  He  was  fully  capable  of  such  a 
crime.  "  Does  not  your  gentle  heart  tell  you  that  I  am  the  one  to  whom 
you  gave  your  little  hand  ?  a  hand  that  I  prize  above  all  things  in  this 
world.  Speak  to  me,  O  darling,  and  t  11  me  that  you  have  not  forgotten  me, 
and  never  will." 


314  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

I  remained  silent,  leaning  on  the  back  of  a  chair.  My  emotion  was  too 
powerful  for  speech.  God  knows  I  wanted  to  start  forward,  and  throw  my- 
self at  her  feet,  and  kiss  her  hand,  and  call  her  my  own  precious  wife,  but 
I  was  powerless  to  move.  Had  my  life  depended  on  it,  I  could  not  have 
uttered  a  word.  Would  some  instinct  of  love,  some  tender  response  from 
her  kind  heart,  point  out  the  true  and  the  false,  and  guide  her  to  my  arms, 
and  to  my  breast  ? 

"  I  do  not  know  which  is  my  husband,  and  which  is  the  impostor,"  the 
trembling  girl  said,  still  clinging  to  her  mother,  and  looking  first  at  my 
brother  and  then  at  myself.  "  I  love  one  of  you,  but  it  is  the  one  I  wedded, 
and  not  the  one  who  rejected  me.  Oh  !  in  mercy  tell  me  to  which  do  I  be- 
long ?  Do  not  torture  me  by  this  suspense.  I  am  weak,  and  have  suffered, 
oh,  so  much  !  and  it  is  cruel  to  thus  wound  me  so  deeply.  Be  merciful,  if 
you  are  men." 

"  Florence,"  said  my  brother,  and  now  all  levity  was  banished  from  his 
fun-loving  face,  and  he  took  another  step  forward,  and  touched  her  unre- 
sisting hand,  "  I  am  the  Earl  of  Afton,  and  I  regret  to  say  that  I  am  not 
your  husband.  This  gentleman  is,  and  believe  me,  when  I  tell  you,  that  he 
is  a  thousand  times  more  worthy  of  the  love  of  so  good  and  pure  a  woman 
as  yourself  than  I  am.  You  have  made  a  fortunate  choice,  sweet  lady,  and 
now  let  me  lead  him  to  you,  and  your  trials  are  over,  I  hope.  He  loves  you 
as  I  never  could,  for  it  is  not  in  my  nature  to  be  true  or  constant  to  any 
woman,  much  as  I  have  tried.  But  time  will  cure  me,  I  hope,  of  that  weak- 
ness, and  make  me  a  pattern  of  domestic  virtues." 

"  Is  this  true  ?  "  asked  Florence,  looking  at  me  with  startling  earnest- 
ness. 

"  It  is  true,  Florence.  I  pledge  you  my  knightly  word  of  honor  that  it  is 
true,"  my  brother  said,  very  earnestly. 

"  And  my  husband  has  not  been  guilty  of  all  the  sins  that  have  reached 
my  ears  ?  "  demanded  Florence  eagerly. 

His  lordship  winced  a  little,  and  hesitated,  but  he  was  a  bold  man,  and  a 
good  fellow  at  heart,  and,  therefore,  replied,  — 

"  Charge  them  all  to  my  account,  Florence.  Your  husband  is  worthy  of 
you,  and  ranks  next  to  a  saint.  He  is  a  Joseph,  and  your  handsome  face 
will  keep  him  good,  or  I  am  much  mistaken." 

Florence  hesitated  a  moment,  and  then  I  opened  my  arms,  and  the  next 
instant  she  was  held  close  and  fast  in  my  embrace,  and  her  lips  were  kiss- 
ed with  a  zest  that  made  my  brother  wink  very  hard,  as  he  realized  what  he 
had  lost. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  315 


"  Thra  chares  for  the  Belle  of  Australia,  and  Mr.  Hangus  ! "  I  heard 
some  one  yell  in  the  hall,  and  I  had  no  difficulty  in  recognizing  Mike's 
voice,  but  he  was  hustled  out  of  sight,  and  pacified  with  a  gbss  of  real 
"  ould  Oirish  whiskey."  But  even  in  the  basement  of  the  house  I  could 
hear  him  cheer. 

"Veil,  look  a-'ere,"  cried  Mr.  Kebblewhite,  "this  a'n't  jist  vot  I  bargain- 
ed for,  yer  know.  I  vanted  a  syphon  of  the  nobility  for  a  son-in-law,  yer 
know.'' 

"Tush,  man,"  returned  my  brother,  "he  is  worth  a  dozen  men  like  me. 
He  will  never  give  your  daughter  a  heart-ache,  and  I  am  sure  that  I  should. 
Be  content  with  a  man,  and  not  with  a  title,  such  as  you  have  aspired  to. 
Think  of  your  daughter's  happiness." 

"  But  'e  a'n't  got  no  money,"  Mr.  Kebblewhite  protested,  beginning  to 
grow  angry. 

"  Then  he  shall  have  some,"  responded  my  brother.  "  I  have  more  than 
I  can  use,  and  this  very  day  I  will  draw  a  draft  on  my  London  bankers  for 
fifty  thousand  pounds,  and  place  it  to  his  credit,  and  if  that  sum  is  not 
enough  he  shall  have  fifty  thousand  more.  He  shall  not  want  for  money  as 
long  as  I  have  millions." 

"  That  is  hall  wery  veil,"  Mr.  Kebblewhite  said,  t4  but  'e  a'n't  a  lud,  arter 
hall." 

"  No,  but  he  is  a  man,  and  that  is  something  better,"  responded  his  lord- 
ship, curtly,  ar  d  did  not  appear  to  care  any  more  for  Mr.  Kebblewhite,  and 
his  opinions,  than  he  did  for  those  of  a  common  servant.  In  fact,  he  snub- 
bed Mr.  K.  at  all  points.  "  Florence,"  his  lordship  continued,  turning  to 
my  wife,  who  lifted  her  blushing  face  from  my  bosom  to  look  at  him,  "  do 
not  feel  angry  at  me  for  not  keeping  my  engagement.  So  help  me  Heaven, 
I  felt  that  I  loved  you  when  I  asked  you  to  become  my  wife.  It  is  one  of 
my  peculiarities  to  fall  in  love  with  every  pretty  face  that  I  meet,  and  to  of- 
fer marriage,  and  then  repent.  I  meant  to  wed  you,  but  remembered  in 
time,  that  my  mother,  the  countess,  had  arranged  a  match  for  me  with  the 
eldest  daughter  of  the  Duke  of  Westchester,  a  nice  girl,  given  to  fairs, 
painting  flower-pots,  and  petting  the  poor  of  the  parish,  and  I  knew  that 
there  'd  be  such  a  deused  row,  that  I  became  frightened,  and  shied  the 
track,  and  this  gentleman,  a  relative  of  mine,  took  my  place,  and  I  wish  you 
lots  of  happiness,  and  all  of  that  kind  of  thing,  you  know,  and  now  who  is 
going  to  stand  a  dozen  of  champagne  ?  for  I  am  tired  of  talking.  It  is  dry 
work  and  I  never  gabble,  unless  it  is  to  a  pretty  woman,  and,  as  Florence 
is  lost  to  me,  I  don't  want  to  waste  my  time  in  a  useless  manner.  Come, 


3I(5  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

Mr.  K.,  set  out  your  wine,  and  let  us  have  a  jolly  time  of  it  today,  drinking 
the  health  of  your  daughter." 

"  Dear  Angus,"  whispered  Florence,  "  do  you  truly  forgive  me  for  all  my 
hard  thoughts  and  words  ?  " 
;'  As  I  hope  to  be  forgiven,  pet." 

"  And  you  will  always  love  me  as  much  as  you  do  now,  O  my  husband  ?  " 
she  asked. 

"  God  grant  it,  darling.  But  come,  dear,  let  me  introduce  you  to  my 
mother.  She  is  here,  most  unexpectedly,  and  will  love  you  for  the  sake  of 
her  son,  and  for  your  own  dear  self  as  well." 

"  I  know  that  I  shall  love  her  if  she  is  like  her  son,"  was  the  cheering  re- 
sponse, and  the  two  women  fell  into  each  other's  arms,  and,  of  course,  com- 
menced crying  immediately,  as  they  always  do  on  such  occasions. 

"  Veil,  'e  's  a  swell,  arter  hall,  and  is  a  relative  of  a  hearl,"  Mr.  Kebble- 
white  said.  "  That  a'n't  bad.  Yer,  'Arry,  put  hout  the  vine,  and  let  us 
hall  'ave  a  cold  snack.  Strip  the  cellar  of  champagne,  and  blast  the  hex- 
pense.  I  'm  'appy  as  any  of  'em." 

"  Attendez,"  cried  the  Frenchman,  coming  forward.  "  Vait  all  of  you,  s'il 
vous  plait.  Speak  vil  I.  To  the  young  couple  give  I  all  my  moneys  vhen  I 
no  longer  them  vant.  It  is  much,  and  have  it  all  shall  they.  Spoken  have 
1.  Hein." 

"  Better  and  better,"  roared  Mr.  Kebblewhite.  "  'Arry,  you  willain,  open 
hall  the  vine  in  the  'ouse.  Bless  me  if  I  don't  sing  some  sea  songs  for  yer," 
and  at  this  information  the  Frenchman  grew  pale,  and  there  was  a  commo- 
tion among  the  cousins,  and  an  ominous  silence. 

"  Will  you  let  me  congratulate  you,  Angus  ?  "  said  a  soft,  pleasant  voice, 
and,  turning,  I  saw  the  sweet  face  of  my  mother-in-law.  "  I  loved  you  the 
first  night  I  saw  you,  and  now  I  love  you  as  well  as  if  I  was  your  own  moth- 
er. May  God  bless  you  and  Florence." 

"  Amen,  mother,"  I  answered,  and  kissed  the  dear  woman  so  earnestly 
that  my  wife  came  toward  us,  in  pretended  alarm. 

"You  will  make  me  jealous,  Angus,"  Florence  said,  "if  you  kiss  my 
mother  so  fervently,"  but  I  never  gave  her  cause  for  jealousy,  and  loved  her 
ever.  "  And  you  will  never  let  those  mean,  contemptible  Kitties,  and  Web- 
bies,  and  Smithies,  kiss  you  again,  will  you,  dear?"  whispered  Florence, 
"  even  by  mistake,  you  know." 

"  Never,  darling,  when  you  are  near,"  and  the  answer  appeared  to  give 
her  great  satisfaction,  for  she  clung  to  me  closer  than  ever,  and  seemed  as 
happy  as  a  bride  should  always  appear. 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  317 


"  'Ere  is  another  voman  vot  vants  to  see  Mr.  Angus,''  cried  Harry,  and 
his  lordship  looked  at  me,  and  said,— 

"  I  hope  that  it  is  not  another  flame  of  yours,  Angus.  You  should  keep 
them  at  a  distance  on  such  an  occasion  as  this,"  but,  by  the  time  he  had 
finished  speaking,  who  should  come  into  the  room  but  Mother  Higgins, 
whom  I  had  met  at  Camp  Reserve. 

"  You  poor,  dear  boy,"  the  good  lady  said,  as  she  caught  sight  of  my 
brother,  and  supposed  that  it  was  me,  "  I  have  learned  at  the  police  station 
all  the  facts  of  the  case,  and  I  came  to  tell  you  how  sorry  I  am  for  my 
treatment  of  you.  O  you  angel,"  and  she  hugged  his  lordship  most  fer- 
vently. 

"  Let  up,  will  you  !  "  roartd  the  earl.  "  What  the  deuse  do  you  mean, 
you  know?  It  is  bad  enough  to  have  a  young  girl  put  her  arms  around  you, 
but  when  it  comes  to  an  old  woman,  I  can't  stand  it,  you  know.  Get  out. 
You  are  crazy.  I  never  saw  you  before." 

•'  I  think  that  I  am  the  one  the  lady  wishes  to  see,"  I  said,  stepping  for- 
ward, and  then  Mother  Higgins  turned  the  wealth  of  her  affection  on  me, 
and  just  gushed. 

"  Yes,  you  are  the  one,  you  dear,  good  young  man,  whom  I  supposed 
was  vile.  Let  me  kiss  you.  And  this  is  your  sweet  wife  ?  Oh,  how  hand- 
some she  is  !  Ah,  my  dear  lady,  you  have  got  a  treasure  for  a  husband,  let 
me  tell  you.  He  is  an  angel,  if  he  has  n't  got  wings.  Why,  the  night  he 
brought  that  girl  to  my  house,  and  then  left  her  in  my  care,  and  kissed  "  — 

"  What  ? "  asked  Florence,  a  little  abruptly. 

Mrs.  Higgins  saw  that  she  was  on  the  wrong  tack,  and  backed  water  at 
once,  much  to  my  relief. 

"  And  kissed  me,  a  woman  old  enough  to  be  his  mother,  because  he  was 
so  glad  I  was  good  to  the  poor  thing." 

I  breathed  a  little  freer.  His  lordship  had  wisely  left  the  room.  He  did 
not  relish  such  reminiscences  in  the  presence  of  company. 

"  I  know  what  men  are,  dear  lady,"  Mother  "Higgins  continued.  "  I  've 
buried  three  husbands,  and  now  I  've  got  a  fourth,  and  shall  put  him  in  the 
ground  unless  he  stops  drinking." 

Florence  looked  a  little  shocked,  but  Mrs.  Higgins  continued,  — 

"  I  know  that  I  shall  surprise  you,  Mr.  Angus,  but  I  've  taken  the  old 
miner  for  my  fourth.  He  is  out-doors  waiting  for  me.  We  are  on  our  bri- 
dal tower.  He  is  a  little  shaky,  but  I  will  make  him  useful  washing  dish- 
es, and  setting  the  table.  I  shall  find  enough  for  him  to  do;  and  then, 
when  he  is  not  otherwise  employed,  he  can  tell  my  boarders  all  about  the 


3i8  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


*  Welcome  Nugget.'  He  loves  me  clearly,  and  if  you  ever  come  to  Ballarat 
don't  fail  to  patronize  me,  and  I  shall  not  charge  you  in  advance,  like  other 
people." 

I  thanked  the  wife  of  the  old  miner,  for  I  never  learned  her  new  name, 
and  then  we  heard  sounds  of  mirth  in  the  dining-room,  and  the  good  wo- 
man pricked  up  her  ears. 

"  You  must  excuse  me,"  she  said.  "  My  old  man  is  in  there,  and,  from 
the  noise,  I  know  they  are  getting  him  drunk.  I  shall  have  a  nice  time 
with  him,  sha'n't  I  ?" 

It  was  even  as  she  suspected.  His  lordship  had  seen  the  old  miner  on 
the  steps,  invited  him  in  the  house,  and  then  filled  him  with  brandy,  and  got 
him  to  tell  the  story  of  the  wonderful  nugget,  and,  while  he  was  thus  em- 
ployed, his  wife  entered  the  room,  seized  him  by  the  ear,  and  walked  him 
out  of  the  house,  much  to  the  disgust  of  the  earl,  who  wanted  some  fun,  and 
found  life  rather  tame  in  the  city. 

We  were  now  alone,  for  all  the  company  had  gone  to  the  dining  room, 
and  I  could  hear  the  popping  of  champagne  corks,  like  the  irregular  fire  of 
a  badly  drilled  military  company. 

"  Florence,"  I  asked,  as  I  encircled  her  slight  form  in  my  arms,  and 
gazed  at  her  smiling  and  blushing  face,  "  are  you  sure  that  you  do  not 
regret  marrying  me  instead  of  my  brother  —  I  mean  the  young  earl  ?  " 

"  I  will  be  candid  with  you,  Angus,"  she  answered.  "  When  his  lordship 
first  paid  me  marked  attention  I  was  flattered,  for  all  of  my  young  friends 
were  envious,  and  when  he  asked  me  to  be  his  wife  I  accepted  him  without 
very  much  hesitation,  for  I  thought  what  a  proud  position  I  should  occupy 
in  the  world  of  fashion  as  the  Countess  of  Afton.  Of  course  I  was  disap- 
pointed when  you  told  me  that  you  were  not  the  one  I  supposed  you  to  be, 
and  I  really  imagined  that  you  were  not  speaking  truthfully,  and  desired  to 
desert  me,  but,  O  Angus,  I  did  love  you,  and  if  you  had  but  pleaded  with 
me  for  a  few  moments  longer,  instead  of  leaving  me  so  abruptly,  on  the 
night  of  our  wedding,  I  should  have  pardoned  you,  and  we  would  have  been 
very  happy  together.  I  suffered  for  many  weeks,  dear,  as  a  punishment  for 
my  pride,  and  for  some  days  I  did  not  know  even  my  own  mother,  and  only 
called  for  you,  as  they  tell  me.  Then,  when  I  recovered,  I  was  informed 
of  some  terrible  rumors  regarding  your  liaisons  in  the  city,  and  also  read  in 
the  Daily  Boomerang  the  disgusting  statement  of  my  maid,  that  you  had 
kissed  her,  even  at  the  door  of  my  chamber,  and  I  determined  to  forget  you, 
and  hate  you,  but  I  could  not  do  either.  And,  O  Angus,  what  possessed 
you  to  kiss  that  bold-faced  thing  ? " 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  319 


"  I  think,  darling,  that  I  was  a  little  insane  that  night,  and  hardly  respon- 
sible for  my  doings.  I  was  torn  by  a  conflict  of  anxiety  and  happiness,  as 
you  know." 

"  Well,  dear,  I  do  not  want  that  kind  of  insanity  in  my  family,  so  you  will 
please  be  rational  hereafter  on  all  occasions  where  women  are  concerned 
My  maids  I  shall  choose,  if  I  employ  any,  for  their  work,  and  not  for  their 
beauty,  be  assured  of  that." 

"  You  are  not  jealous,  Florence  ?  "  I  asked,  kissing  her  white  forehead, 
and  smiling  at  the  serious  face,  and  thinking  how  much  I  loved  her. 

>:  Xo,  indeed,  but  I  noticed  that  you  did  not  resist  as  much  as  you  might 
when  that  Smith  girl  put  her  arms  around  your  neck.  You  remember,  do 
you  not  ?  " 

"  I  did  not  want  to  be  rude,  dear,  and  she  was  »o  much  in  earnest,  and 
felt  so  disappointed." 

"  Yes,  I  know,  girls  of  that  kind  are  always  earnest,  and  it  is  just  as  well 
to  keep  them  at  a  distance.  How  would  you  like  to  have  me  kissed  in  that 
way  ?  and  all  through  a  mistake." 

I  evaded  the  question.  It  is  one  women  always  ask.  and  is  never  an- 
swered satisfactorily. 

"  But,  pet,  you  know  I  did  not  make  love  to  her,  don't  you  ?  "  I  asked, 
with  a  smile. 

"  I  hope  that  you  were  not  the  one,  Angus.  But,  oh  !  the  resemblance 
is  so  wonderful,  and  men  tell  such  queer  stories  sometimes.  You  know 
they  do.  Don't  deny  it." 

"  But  I  am  truthful,  Florence,  and  would  not  deceive  you  for  all  the 
world,"  and  I  felt  every  word  I  uttered. 

But  she  only  nestled  the  closer  to  my  heart,  and  sighed  a  little  doleful 
sigh,  as  if  she  was  not  sure,  after  all,  that  I  was  not  deceiving  her.  In  fact, 
I  think  she  took  solid  comfort  in  having  a  slight  jealous  pang,  in  the  midst 
of  all  our  happiness.  But  I  kissed  the  clouds  away,  and  she  smiled  once 
more. 

"  I  am  so  thankful,"  she  whispered,  "  that  I  am  the  wife  of  a  true  man, 
who  loves  me  tenderly  and  dearly,  and  I  would  not  exchange  his  affection 
for  all  the  coronets  in  Europe/' 

"  But  you  still  have  a  title,  pet.  You  are  the  Belle  of  Australia,  remem- 
ber." 

"  No,  dear,  I  renounce  that  claim  forever,  and  take  up  one  more  sweet 
and  pleasant  to  my  ears.  I  am  the  honored  wife  of  one  of  America's  sov- 
ereigns." 


320  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


"  And  my  queen,  dear,  now  and  forever,"  and  the  red  lips  of  my  wife 
were  raised  for  a  kiss. 

"  Ahem  !  "  coughed  some  one,  and,  turning,  we  saw  that  Mr.  Murden 
had  entered  the  drawing-room,  quietly  as  usual,  as  if  he  expected  to  find  a 
burglar  at  work  with  the  silver  or  family  jewels.  "  Ahem,"  he  repeated. 
"  Excuse  the  intrusion,  but,  really,  his  lordship  has  made  a  brilliant  speech, 
and  toasted  his  relative  and  bride,  and  we  all  want  you  to  respond.  I  was 
sent  to  request  your  presence  as  soon  as  possible." 

"  One  moment,"  I  said,  as  the  Chief  turned  to  leave  the  room.  •'  Tell  me 
some  more  as  to  how  and  where  your  men  found  his  lordship." 

"  As  I  said,  on  a  sheep-run,  on  the  banks  of  the  Murray,  at  the  foot  of  the 
chain  of  mountains  that  we  call  the  Australian  Alps.  He  was  having  a 
jolly  time,  hunting  kangaroos,  and  ducks,  and  had  an  old  Chinaman  to 
cook,  and  a  black  fellow  to  carry  the  game.  He  refused  to  come  to  the  city 
at  first,  but,  when  everything  was  explained  to  him,  consented,  like  the 
trump  that  he  is.  He  got  here  last  night,  reported  to  me  immediately,  and 
agreed  to  meet  you  here  at  ten  o'clock,  and  stand  the  exposure.  I  sent 
word  to  all  the  friends  to  muster  in  force,  and  keep  up-stairs,  and  out  of 
sight,  until  I  called  them  down,  and  explained  matters." 

"  Give  the  men  who  discovered  him  a  hundred  pounds  extra,"  I  said. 
"  They  deserve  it." 

"  I  will,  and  it  shall  come  out  of  my  own  pocket,  for  being  such  an  idiot 
as  I  am.  However,  it  has  been  the  means  of  making  your  fortune,  so  there 
is  consolation  in  all  things." 

"  And  Kitty?  "   I  asked,  in  a  whisper. 

"  She  was  with  him,  as  happy  as  a  boarding-school  girl,  home  for  the  hol- 
idays. She  returned  also,  and  is  at  her  old  residence,  quite  pleased  with  her 
life  in  the  bush." 

"  What  will  he  do  with  her  ?  " 

"  Pension  her  off  when  he  leaves  for  home.  He  won't  go  back  to  the 
sheep-run.  Some  new  freak  has  entered  his  head ;  "  and  pension  her  his 
lordship  did,  but  Kitty  nearly  died  of  a  broken  heart  when  the  parting  took 
place.  She  recovered,  however,  and  married  a  mean  sneak  of  a  shysting 
lawyer,  who  wanted  a  home  and  her  money,  and  he  got  both.  She  became 
known  as  Mrs.  Kimball. 

«  "  By  the  way,"  whispered  Mr.  Murden,  "  the  broker  bought  our  wool  at 
auction  yesterday  for  about  one  shilling  two  and  a  half  pence  per  pound, 
and  this  morning  it  has  advanced  five  pence  per  pound.  It  is  going  high- 
er," and  it  did  go  higher,  and  we  sold  at  a  profit  of  ninety  thousand  dollars 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  321 


nett,  in  the  course  of  two  weeks,  much  to  Mr.  Kebblewhite's  surprise,  for 
he  did  not  make  quarter  as  much. 

"  'Ere  is  another  voman  and  a  man  to  see  Mr.  Murden,"  Harry  an- 
nounced, with  a  terrible  grin  on  his  face.  "They  hall  is  comin'  'ere,  I  be- 
lieves. The  vine  von't  hold  out  at  this  rate." 

"  Show  them  in,  Harry,''  said  the  Chief.  "  I  will  speak  to  them  here. 
Who  are  they  ?  " 

I  began  to  tremble,  for  I  did  not  want  too  much  happiness  in  one  day, 
and  I  still  feared  complications,  owing  to  the  bad  conduct  of  that  brother 
of  mine. 

Harry  ushered  in  Mr.  Smith,  and  his  wife's  sister,  the  pretty  little  Susan. 
What  could  have  sent  them  here  ?  Miss  Susan  looked  at  me  in  a  scornful 
manner,  but  Florence  went  to  her  at  once,  and  actually  kissed  the  young 
lady. 

"  I  was  down  at  the  central  house  asking  for  you,  and  the  officer  told  me 
that  you  were  here,  and  that  some  wonderful  new  revelation  had  occurred," 
Mr.  Smith  said,  addressing  the  Chief.  "It  seems  that  we  wronged  some 
one,  and  we  have  called  to  apologize.  Susan  has  got  over  her  love  fit,  and 
is  all  right  now,  but  we  would  like  to  see  the  man  that  spooned  her." 

Just  then  the  noble  lord  entered  the  room  to  call  me,  but,  as  soon  as  he 
saw  Susan  and  Smith,    beat  a  rapid  retreat,  and  went  back  to  the  other 
guests.     He  did  not  care  to  face  the  new-comers.     Susan  saw  him,  how- 
ever, and  she  gave  a  sniff  of  contempt,  and  then  looked  at  me.  and  gave  an 
other  sniff,  and  began  to  cry,  while  Florence  comforted  her. 

"Don't  grieve/' my  wife  said.  "You  will  get  all  over  it  in  time;  and 
don't  look  at  my  dear  husband  in  that  scornful  manner.  He  is  just  as  good 
as  he  can  be,  and  live,  and  I  half  fear  I  am  not  nice  enough  for  him.  He 
would  die  before  he  would  make  love  to  any  woman  but  me.  It  was  the 
other  one  who  deceived  you,  but  he  is  not  worth  a  moment's  thought.  I  am 
very  happy,  and  I  wish  that  you  were,  but  we  poor  girls  can't  be  too  careful 
in  placing  confidence  in  men,  and  let  this  be  a  warning  to  you.  dear.  I 
would  trust  no  one  but  my  Angus.  He  can't  do  wrong.'' 

This  was  very  cheerful  news  to  me.  and  showed  that  Florence  was  improv- 
ing rapidly. 

Smith  and  Susan  would  not  remain,  although  we  invited  them  to  stay. 
But  they  felt  that  they  had  intruded,  and  went  away,  and  we  were  not  sorry* 
to  see  them  go.      It  was  not  wholesome  to  his  lordship  to  have  them  in 
the  house.     Susan  soon  married  a  good  stockman,  and  now  actually  boasts 
that  she  was  once  loved  by  a  lord,  to  the  disgust  of  her  husband. 


322  The  Belle  of  Australia. 


Florence  and  I  entered  the  dining-room,  and  I  had  to  make  a  speech,  and 
Mr.  Kebblewhite  insisted  upon  singing  a  nautical  song,  and,  as  the  fun 
grew  fast  and  furious,  led  by  my  brother,  who  seemed  to  take  pleasure  in 
hearing  my  father-in-law  bellow,  and  in  seeing  him  drink,  Florence  and  I 
escaped  to  the  drawing-room,  and  there  we  found  her  mother  and  mine  in 
the  recess  of  the  bow  window,  and,  as  we  drew  near,  I  heard  my  mother 
say,— 

"  Well,  when  Angus  first  had  the  measles,  he  was  six,  and  I  "  — 
"Yes,  I  know,  but  when   Florence   was  first  taken  with  the  whooping 
cough  I  "  — 

We  did  not  remain  to  hear  more,  but  fled.  They  were  engaged  on  a  sub- 
ject dear  to  every  mother's  heart.  We  wandered  up-stairs,  and  sat  down  in 
the  quiet  of  my  wife's  chamber,  and  contrasted  our  present  happiness  with 
the  time  when  I  had  dropped  out  of  the  window,  and  fell  into  the  arms  of 
Mr.  Murden. 

The  only  unpleasant  incident  of  the  day  was  when  Mike,  who,  for  a 
drunken  man,  was  the  most  peaceable  Irishman  I  ever  saw,  offered  to  fight 
"  'Arry  "  for  half  a  crown,  because  the  butler  said  that  even  a  "hemperor  " 
was  not  nice  enough  for  his  young  misses,  and  Mike  thought  that  was  a  re- 
flection on  me,  and  my  goodness.  But  Mr.  Murden  sent  Mike  home  to  the 
Hen  and  Chickens,  and  had  him  put  to  bed,  but  he  woke  up  half  a  dozen 
times  in  the  night,  and  frightened  the  inmates  of  the  chop  house  into  convul- 
sions by  shouting  out,  — 

"Thra  chares  for  the  Belle  of  Australia,  and  Mr.  Hangus  !  "  and  renewed 
doses  of  whiskey  were  needed  to  pacify  him. 

Mike  came  to  the  United  States  with  me,  and  I  left  him  in  New  York. 
He  opened  a  large  liquor  saloon  on  Third  Avenue,  and,  consequently,  soon 
became  an  influential  member  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  and  now  wears  a 
gold  chain,  about  as  large  as  a  yacht's  cable,  and  looks  forward  to  the  time 
when  he  will  be  a  member  of  Congress.  He  is  married,  and  has  half  a  do/- 
en children,  and  the  eldest  boy,  when  angry,  twits  his  parent  lor  not  being 
a  native-born  American.  I  often  see 'him  when  in  New  York,  and  then  lie 
talks  of  old  times,  and  Australia,  by  the  hour,  and  actually  praises  the 
country.  Last  November  he  dined  with  me  at  the  Union-Square  Hole!, 
and,  under  the  soothing  influence  of  a  bottle  of  champagne,  swore  that  he 
would  elect  me  to  Congress  if  I  would  settle  in  his  district,  and  take  to  prJi- 
tics.  But  I  declined  the  proffered  honor. 

Of  course  the  return  to  the  city  of  Lord  Afton  made  some  talk,  and  we 
were  both  interviewed  by  a  reporter  from  the  Daily  Boomerang  and  out- 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  323 

wonderful  resemblance   commented  on,  and  I  think  the  conclusion  of  a 
three-column  sketch  read  like  this  :  — 

"The  Belle  of  Australia,  instead  of  marrying  an  English  nobleman,  has 
taken  an  American  sovereign.  It  is  well.  Thus  another  silken  tie  has 
been  formed  that  will  bind  this  prosperous  and  powerful  colony  to  the  great 
republic.  Let  us  hope  that  the  happy  bridegroom,  when  he  returns  home, 
will  take  some  steps  to  inaugurate  free  trade,  and  reduce  postal  charges, 
so  that  the  Boomerang  can  go  to  the  ends  of  the  earth  at  cheap  rates.  We 
shall  be  pleased  to  offer  our  columns,  gratis,  for  a  full  expression  of  his 
views  on  married  life,  or  the  great  resources  of  Australia,  and  he  has  per- 
mission to  look  over  our  exchanges  at  any  time,  when  disposed  to  call  at 
this  office." 

"  Angus,"  said  my  brother  that  evening,  "  I  shall  return  home  in  the 
course  of  a  few  weeks.  Come  with  me,  wife,  mother,  and  all." 

"  Not  for  the  world,"  responded  Florence  hastily,  and  she  nestled  a  little 
closer  to  me. 

"  Why  not  ?  "  asked  his  lordship,  petulantly. 

"  Well,  I  don't  want  any  more  mistakes,  if  you  please.  The  resemblance 
is  too  wonderful.  No,  we  will  remain  apart  for  the  present,  or  until  I  am 
better  acquainted  \\itli  my  husband/'  Florence  said  decidedly. 

His  lordship  laughed,  and  did  not  renew  the  subject.  He  is  now  a  steady 
married  man,  but  has  not  published  his  book  on  Australia,  and  bushranger 
life. 

And  Florence  and  I  are  happy,  and  the  love  which  she  inspired  me,  the 
first  time  I  saw  her,  when  I  was  forced  to  accept  her  hand,  has  not  grown 
cold,  nor  has  the  color  faded  from  her  cheeks,  nor  the  sparkle  from  her 
eyes,  nor  the  golden  shimmer  from  her  hair,  nor  the  sweet  smile  from  her 
red  lips,  nor  —a  little  touch  of  jealousy  from  her  gentle  heart  when  I  am 
very  agreeable  to  other  ladies,  as  it  is  necessary  to  be  sometimes. 

Mr.  Kebblewhite  is  still  alive,  and  so  is  his  kind  wife,  and  both  are  anx- 
ious to  see  their  grandson.  Monsieur  Allete  is  well,  and  sends  us  substan- 
tial tokens  of  his  kindness.  Mr.  Murden  sti'l  has  hopes  of  being  lieutenant- 
governor  of  Victoria.  He  is  now  a  member  of  the  cabinet,  and  liable 
to  be  pitched  out  at  any  time,  by  a  vote  of  want  of  confidence  of  the  house 
on  some  land  question,  or  who  shall  make  the  governor's  breeches,  or  re- 
pair them. 

Shall  we  go  back  and  review   the  scenes  of  our  early  years  ?     Ah,  well, 


324  The  Belle  of  Australia. 

who  can  tell  what  the  future  may  bring  forth  ?  But,  be  it  as  fate  may  or- 
dain, I  shall  never  forget  the  kind  hearts  and  warm  friendships  I  formed  in 
AUSTRALIA,  and  they  will  live  forever  in  my  memory. 


THE   ANNOUNCEMENT   OF   A    NEW   STORY. 
ON    LAND   AND   SEA, 

OR 

CALIFORNIA   IN   THE   YEARS 
1843,  '44,  AND  '45. 

BY  WILLIAM   H.   THOMES. 


T  hope  that  all  who  have  fo  lowed  the  fortunes,  good  or  bad,  of  "  THE 
BELLE  OF  AUSTRALIA,"  and  "  ANGUS  MORNINGTON,"  will  need  no  urging 
to  read  my  next  story,  a  biography  of  a  voyage  to  California,  in  the  year 
1842,  when,  as  a  boy  of  fifteen,  I  shipped  in  the  Admittance,  of  Boston, 
Captain  Peter  Peterson,  and  for  three  years,  or  from  March  4,  1843, '44,  and 
'45,  remained  on  the  coast,  engaged  in  the  arduous  work  of  hide-droghing, 
and  during  that  period  visited  every  port  in  the  country  several  times,  from 
San  Francisco  to  San  Diego,  and  saw  California  as  it  then  existed,  with  lit- 
tle trade,  not  much  energy,  handsome  women,  and  very  lazy  men.  The 
reading  of  Mr.  Richard  H.  Dana's  "Two  Years  Before  the  Mast," 
prompted  the  voyage  on  my  part,  and  I  often  told  the  author,  when  alive, 
that  to  him  was  I  indebted  for  three  years  of  the  hardest  work,  and  the 
most  careless  and  happy  life,  that  I  ever  experienced,  for  there  were  six- 
boys  on  the  ship,  and  at  times  we  made  things  lively  for  officers  and  Mexi- 
cans. I  do  not  hope  to  give  so  graphic  a  picture  of  sea  life,  and  California 
experience,  as  Mr.  Dana  has  done  in  his  little  volume,  but  I  shall  describe 
things  as  I  encountered  them,  and,  perhaps,  I  can  entertain  my  readers 
with  a  biography  that  will  amuse  them,  even  if  it  does  not  instruct  to  any 
great  extent.  As  far  as  seamanship  is  concerned  J  was  the  equal  of  Mr.  Dana, 
and  afterward,  perhaps,  a  little  superior,  for  I  have  sailed  under  many  fla^s, 
and  in  various  parts  of  the  globe,  and  occupied  some  responsible  positions 
on  board  the  finest  vessels  in  the  world,  so  the  reader  can  rely  on  my  sea 


The  Belle  of  Australia.  325 

terms,  and  the  truthfulness  of  my  seamanship.  To  refresh  my  memory  1 
have  before  me  the  private  diary  of  Captain  Peterson,  who  is  still  alive,  ami 
living  at  South  Boston.  He  has  loaned  the  volume  for  the  purpose  of  writ- 
ing out  a  history  of  the  voyage,  and,  as  the  doings  of  every  day  are  record- 
ed for  the  three  years,  I  shall  make  no  mistake  about  place-  «>r  dates.  I 
am  sorry  to  state  that  my  name  is  found  quite  often  in  the  diai^ .  and  not  al- 
ways in  terms  of  great  praise,  and  for  remarkably  go«»d  conduct.  1  am 
afraid  thai  we  boys  did  try  his  temper,  not  always  angelic,  as  I  had  reason 
to  know,  but  he  must  take  the  bitter  with  the  sweet,  in  fair  part,  I  trust. 
In  fact,  I  know  that  he  will,  for  we  are  good  friends,  and  what  is  the  use  of 
having  friends  unless  you  can  abuse  them  a  little  ?  He  used  to  stir  me 
up,  and  now  I  can  retaliate  by  giving  him  a  lift  occasionally. 

WILLIAM  H.  THOMES. 


